Cell Cycle and Mitosis Quiz

Cell Cycle

• The cell cycle is a series of events that a cell goes through as it grows and divides.
• It consists of interphase and the mitotic phase.

Interphase

• Interphase is the longest part of the cell cycle.
• It is divided into three phases: G1, S, and G2.
• During G1 (gap 1), the cell increases in size and synthesizes proteins.
• During S (synthesis), DNA replication occurs, creating two identical sets of chromosomes.
• During G2 (gap 2), the cell continues to grow and prepares for division.

Mitotic Phase

• The mitotic phase is the division phase of the cell cycle.
• It includes mitosis and cytokinesis.
• Mitosis is the division of the nucleus and its contents.
• Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm.
• Mitosis has four stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Mitosis Stages

• Prophase: Chromosomes condense and become visible, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the spindle apparatus forms.
• Metaphase: Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate, which is the middle of the cell.
• Anaphase: Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles of the cell.
• Telophase: Chromosomes decondense, the nuclear envelope reforms, and the spindle apparatus disappears.

Cytokinesis

• Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm.
• In animal cells, a cleavage furrow forms and pinches the cell in two.
• In plant cells, a cell plate forms and grows to separate the two daughter cells.

Meiosis

• Meiosis is a type of cell division in which a single cell divides twice to produce four daughter cells.
• These four daughter cells contain half the number of chromosomes of the original cell.
• Meiosis is important for sexual reproduction.