3.10 - Cell Cycle
- 1The phases of the cell cycle
- 2The processes that take place during interphase
Cell cycle
Organisms need new cells to grow and repair tissues in the body. Not all cells in the body are capable of dividing, but those that are follow a sequence of steps known as the cell cycle.
The cell cycle consists of three main phases:
- Interphase - This occupies the majority of the cycle as cells prepare for division.
- Mitosis - This is when the nucleus of the cell divides in two.
- Cytokinesis - This is when the whole cell and cytoplasm divides in two to produce two identical cells.
Interphase
During interphase, cells carry out their usual functions whilst also preparing for cell division.
Preparation involves the following processes:
- Cell growth - This includes an increase in cytoplasm.
- Synthesis of proteins - These proteins are used to replicate organelles.
- Replicating DNA - This results in double the genetic material.
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