Biology Unit 4 - Cell Cycle

Front

What is the cell cycle?

Back

The cell cycle is the series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and duplication (replication). It consists of interphase (G1, S, G2) and the mitotic phase (mitosis and cytokinesis).

Front

What happens during the S phase of the cell cycle?

Back

During the S phase, DNA is replicated, resulting in two identical sets of chromosomes for the daughter cells.

Front

What is mitosis?

Back

Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Front

What are the main phases of mitosis?

Back

The main phases of mitosis are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Front

What occurs during prophase?

Back

During prophase, chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the mitotic spindle begins to form.

Front

What occurs during metaphase?

Back

During metaphase, chromosomes align at the cell's equatorial plane, and spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes.

Front

What occurs during anaphase?

Back

During anaphase, sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell by the spindle fibers.

Front

What occurs during telophase?

Back

During telophase, the chromosomes reach the poles, decondense back into chromatin, and the nuclear envelope re-forms around each set of chromosomes.

Front

What is cytokinesis?

Back

Cytokinesis is the process that follows mitosis, where the cytoplasm of a parental cell is divided into two daughter cells.

Front

What is the role of the spindle apparatus?

Back

The spindle apparatus is responsible for separating sister chromatids during mitosis and ensuring that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes.