Cell Division

Understanding
The Cell Cycle
 The Cell Cycle
• During the cell cycle, a cell grows, prepares
for division, and divides to form two
daughter cells. These two daughter cells will
begin the cycle again.

• Consists of 4 phases:
G1 phase
S phase
G2 phase
M phase
The Cell Cycle

M phase
 Events of the Cell Cycle
• G1 phase: The cell increases in size and synthesize
new proteins and organelles.
• S phase: DNA replication.
• G2 phase: Various organelles and molecules
required for cell division are created at this time.

Note: G1 phase, S phase, G2 phase all make up

interphase which is the longest event of the
cell cycle.

• M phase: Mitosis (division of the nucleus) and

cytokinesis (division of the cytoplasm) take place
during this phase.
 Interphase
• Longest event in a cell’s life.
• Period of great metabolic activity.
• When a cell can no longer maintain
homeostasis it must divide.
A T

T A

C G

Helicase
A T

T A

C G

A T

T A

C G
 DNA Replication
• An enzyme called DNA Helicase causes the
base pairs of DNA to split down the middle
forming 2 single strands.
• The nucleus contains free floating
nucleotides from the food you eat.
• These nucleotides are attached to each
single strand of DNA by another enzyme DNA
Polymerase to form 2 identical double
stranded DNA molecules.
Interphase
 Questions
• Read pages 240 to 245.

• Answer questions 1 to 4 on page 243.