Cell Cycle Flashcards
What is the cell cycle?
Fundamental mechanism of all living things to reproduce and pass down genetic material
How is purity of genetic material maintained?
Through high regulation mechanisms
What are unicellular organisms?
Bacteria & yeast
Each cell cycle gives rise to 2 new organelles
How do multicellular organisms undergo cell division?
A single fertilised egg (zygote) undergoes many rounds of cell division to produce a new fully grown organism
What changes does a cell undergo during the cell cycle?
- Cell contents (DNA, organelles, cytoplasm) duplicated
- Divide into new progeny (daughter) cells
Apart from fertilisation, when else do multicellular organisms cells replicate?
Continuously replicate any dying cells during their lifetime
What phases does the cell cycle consist of?
G1 -> S phase -> G2 -> M phase
What is the G0 phase?
Cellular state outside of the replicative cycle
- can be a temporary resting period or permanent
What happens to cells in G1 phase?
DNA content is diploid (2n)
Which phases of the cell cycle are part of interphase?
G1, S, and G2
What occurs in the G2 phase of the cell cycle?
Cell growth and protein synthesis
What occurs during S phase of the cell cycle?
DNA synthesis leads to duplication of chromosomes
What happens in M phase?
Cell division occurs - meiosis/mitosis
How is hepatocytes replication regulated?
Hepatocytes are maintained in G0 phase unless stimulated to divide
How does the DNA content of cells change during the cell cycle?
DNA content doubles (4N) to diploid chromosome number in M phase
Is it possible to re enter the cell cycle?
No re entry into the cell cycle is not possible
What stages does the M phase consist of?
- Mitosis
2. Cytokinesis
What is a contractile ring?
Cytoskeletal structure composed of actin and myosin tubules
Give examples of cells constantly in the replicative cell cycle
- epithelial cells (gut)
- hematopoetic cells (bone marrow)
List the main features of Mitosis
- 2 daughter cells
- Diploid DNA
- 1 Cell division
- No recombination of homologus chromosomes
- Daughter cells are clones of the parent
How is genetic diversity introduced during meiosis?
Recombination occurs between homologous chromosomes
How is the cell cycle regulated?
Via the G1, G2 and M checkpoints
Describe the structure of centrosomes
Consists of a pair of centrioles surrounded by a pericentriolar matrix
What occurs during Meiosis II 2nd cell division?
Sister chromatids line up at spindle
Separated to opposite spindle fibres
How do the concentrations of CDK & cyclin vary throughout the cell cycle?
CDK levels remain stable
Cyclin levels vary
Explain how cytokinesis occurs
- Contractile ring accumulates beneath plasma
membrane at mitotic spindle poles - Ring contracts forming an indentation
- Cleavage splits cell in 2
Explain in detail what occurs at the G1 checkpoint in the cell cycle
If environment contains enough growth factors
1. Mitogenic signal induces Cyclin D
2. Cyclin D binds to CDK4 forming a complex
3. This complex phosphorylates PRB
4. PRB binds to E2F which is then sequestered
(deactivated)
5. CDK4 phosphorylates PRB, freeing E2F
6. E2F can now promote transcription for target genes
(cyclin A and B) into S phase
Outline the centrosome cycle that aids cell cycle regulation
- Duplicate during interphase
2. Migrate to opposite poles in preparation of M phase
What factors of the cell cycle have to be strictly regulated?
Entry into cell cycle
Each phase occur once per cycle
Correct order of phases
Non overlapping of phases