Cell Division 5.1
The Cell Cycle is the regular pattern of growth, DNA duplication, and cell division that takes place in eukaryotic cells. The cell cycle has 2 PARTS: interphase and mitosis.
Interphase has 3 steps: gap1, synthesis, and gap 2.
The cell spends most of its time in Gap 1(G1). During this phase the cell carries out normal activity, growth, and organelle production. A critical checkpoint is passed before moving on to interphase.
In the synthesis phase, the cell makes a copy of its nuclear DNA.
During Gap 2 (G2), the cell carries out normal functions and continues to grow. Another critical checkpoint must be passed before mitosis can take place.
Mitosis (M) is the division of the cell nucleus and its contents. Cytokinesis: the process that divides the cell’s cytoplasm.
Mitosis has 4 stages: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.
Why aren’t cells any smaller Why aren’t cells any smaller? Cell to small Large protein If a cell were too small, it could not contain all of the necessary organelles and molecules to function properly.
If a cell were too large, its surface area would be too small in comparison to its volume. Cubed-Squared problem.