The cell cycle Flashcards
What is the cell cycle?
It is the process that all body cells in multicellular organisms use to grow and divide
When does the cell cycle start?
it starts when a cell has been produced by cell division
When does the cell cycle end?
It ends with the cell dividing to produce two identical cells.
What is the order that the phases and checkpoint occur in the cell cycle?
Cap Phase 1 G1 checkpoint Synthesis Gap Phase 2 G2 checkpoint M phase Metaphase checkpoint
What happens in the M phase?
mitosis and cytokinesis
What happens at the metaphase checkpoint?
the cell checks that all chromosomes are attached to the spindle before mitosis can continue
What happens in Gap phase 1?
the cell grows and new organelles and proteins are made
What happens at the G1 checkpoint?
the cell checks that the chemicals needed for replication are present and for any damage to the DNA before entering the S phase.
What happens during synthesis?
the cell replicates its DNA, ready to divide by mitosis
What happens during gap phase 2?
the cell keeps growing and proteins needed for cell division are made.
What happens at the G2 checkpoint?
the cell checks if all DNA has been replicated without any damage. If it has, the cell can enter mitosis.
What happens during interphase?
During interpase the cell carries out all of its normal functions but also prepares to divide. The cell’s DNA is unravelled and replicated, to double its genetic content, the organelles are also replicated so it has spare ones and its ATP content is increased.
Why is ATP content increased during interphase?
it provides the energy needed for cell division.
