Cell Cycle

Cell cycle is a series of events that prepares the cell for dividing into two daughter cells.
Major Periods of Cell Cycle:
• Interphase -the main part of the cell cycle
• Cell division -functions in reproduction, growth, and repair

INTERPHASE – a non-dividing phase which usually occupies most of the life cycle of the cell; it is divided into three separate phases, namely:

G1 phase – gap 1 - usually the longest and most variable part of the cycle, it is a period of cell growth and development and RNA synthesis
- cells differentiate and and perform their specialized function
- Also in G1, the cell volume, reduced by half during mitosis, returns to its previous size.

S phase – synthesis phase - characterized by DNA synthesis and duplication

- It also duplicates a microtubule-organizing structure called the centrosome. The centrosomes help separate DNA during M phase.

G2 phase - gap 2 - relatively short period where proteins required for mitosis accumulate; energy for mitosis is stored; DNA replication is
analyzed; formation of organelles needed in cell division; cells prepare for nuclear division (mitosis);
- G2 phase ends when mitosis begins.

MITOSIS PHASE (CELL DIVISION) involves two distinct division-related processes: mitosis and cytokinesis.

Mitosis – the division of the nucleus; nuclear DNA of the cell condenses into visible chromosomes and is pulled apart by the mitotic spindle, a
specialized structure made out of microtubules. Mitosis takes place in four stages: prophase (sometimes divided into early prophase and
prometaphase), metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Cytokinesis - the cytoplasm of the cell is split in two, making two new cells. Cytokinesis usually begins just as mitosis is ending, with a little
overlap.
 Cells in some tissues progress continually through the cell cycle to accommodate tissue growth or cell turnover, these cells are called
renewing cells. Cells of certain tissues such as stem cells of gut and skin are renewing cells, they undergo continuous cell cycle replacing cells lost
during normal wear and tear.

Terminally differentiated cells leave the cycle after the M phase and enter a state of continuous differentiated function designated as G0 phase.
Most muscle and nerve cells lose the ability to undergo mitosis.

Facultative dividers, such as liver cells, do not divide normally but retain the capacity to undergo mitosis should the need arise.

Cell division and differentiation are balanced by cell death, both during the development and growth of the immature organism and in the mature
adult. In this circumstances, cell death occurs by a mechanism known as apoptosis.
References:

Young, B., O’Dowd, G., & Woodford, P. (2014). Wheater’s Functional Histology – A Text and Colour Atlas 6th Edition. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill
Livingstone.

Mescher, A. (2010). Junqueira’s Basic Histology 2nd Edition. Asia: McGraw-Hill Companies.Histology World – Chapter 9 Cardiovascular System.

Gartner, L., & Hiatt, J. (2001). Color Textbook of Histology 2nd Edition. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company.

https://slideplayer.com/slide/10633436/
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/cellular-molecular-biology/mitosis/a/cell-cycle-phases

Prepared By:

DR. F. M. TAN