The cell cycle consists of four distinct phases
Interphase ( G1,
S and G2 phase) and Mitosis
( karyokinesis and cytokinesis).
The advancement from one stage to another is tightly regulated and
stringently monitored.
Interphase
- G1
phase: In this phase, the cell increases in
size. During this phase proteins and enzymes needed for DNA
synthesis is prepared and regulated by the G1 checkpoint.
- S
phase: DNA replication starts during this
phase and at the end of the S phase the cell contains double the
amount of parental DNA and will be equally divided between the
daughter cells.
- G2
phase: The cell continues to grow during this phase.
During this phase, the cell synthesizes all the necessary proteins
for mitosis stage and is under the control of G2 checkpoint.
Mitosis: It can broadly be divided into two
groups karyokinesis and cytokinesis taking place
simultaneously.
Prophase:
- The chromosome starts to confidence
- Mitotic spindle formation starts as the centromere separate
towards each pole. The spindle is made up of microtubules that help
in organizing the chromosomes for segregation.
- The nucleolus starts dissolving
Prometaphase
- Chromosome becomes condensed
- Nuclear membranes dissolves releasing the chromosome
- Mitotic spindle grows more and starts attaching to
chromosomes.
Metaphase
- In this phase, the mitotic spindle captures all the chromosomes
and line them up in the middle of the cell and is ready to
divide.
- The two kinetochore of each chromosome is attached to
microtubules of the opposite poles.
Anaphase:
- In Anaphase the sister chromatids are separated from each other
and are pulled toward the opposite ends of the cells.
- Microtubules which are not attached to chromosome are elongate
and elongates the cell.
Telophase:
- Telophase marks the end of the cell cycle and the division is
about to end following by cytokinesis during which the cytoplasm is
divided equally between the daughter cells.
- The mitotic spindle is broken down into its constituents.
- Nuclear membrane reforms.
- Nucleolus starts appearing
- Chromosome starts to condense