Cells are capable of growing, reproducing, and programmed cell death. Therefore, they have their own life spans, called cell cycles. The cell cycle is a very delicate process. Scientists all over the world are trying to better understand the cell cycle, because cell cycle malfunctions often lead to cancer.

 

          A cell will grow until it reaches a certain point, and then divide into two cells. At which point do you think that a cell divides?

          Answer:

 

         

THE CELL CYCLE: NOTES

 

 

There are 3 main phases of the cell cycle:

 

 

 

1. INTERPHASE:

 

 

 

a) First growth (G1) phase

 

 

 

 

 

b) Synthesis (S) phase

 

 

 

 

 

c) Second growth (G2) phase

 

 

 

 

          The following process makes up the “M Phase”, or Mitotic Phase, which is the        beginning and end of cell division.

 

 

2. Mitosis

 

 

 

 

3. Cytokinesis:

 

 

 

The following diagram represents how the cell cycle can be divided up into the different phases (Interphase, Mitosis, Cytokinesis). The bigger the piece of the cell cycle, the longer the cell  is in that particular phase of its life.

 

Label the cell cycle diagram, then answer the questions below:

 

 

 

 

 

1.   Which is the longest phase of the cell cycle?

 

 

2.   Which is the shortest phase of the cell cycle?

 

 

3.   Which sub-phase of interphase does the cell spend most of its time in?

 

 

4.   What is the first stage of the cell cycle?

 

 

5.   What is the last stage of the cell cycle?

 

 

6.   When is the cell at its smallest size?

 

 

7. When is the cell at its largest size?