Understanding:
• Mitosis is division of the nucleus into two genetically identical daughter nuclei
The cell cycle is an ordered set of events which culminates in the division of a cell into two daughter cells
- It can be roughly divided into two main phases:
Interphase
The stage in the development of a cell between two successive divisions
This phase of the cell cycle is a continuum of three distinct stages:
- G1 – First intermediate gap stage in which the cell grows and prepares for DNA replication
- S – Synthesis stage in which DNA is replicated
- G2 – Second intermediate gap stage in which the cell finishes growing and prepares for cell division
M phase
The period of the cell cycle in which the cell and contents divide to create two genetically identical daughter cells
This phase is comprised of two distinct stages:
- Mitosis – Nuclear division, whereby DNA (as condensed chromosomes) is separated into two identical nuclei
- Cytokinesis – Cytoplasmic division, whereby cellular contents are segregated and the cell splits into two
The Cell Cycle
