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The Cell cycle is the process in which a eukaryotic cell divides itself into two cells. It includes the preparation that have to take place inside of the cell before it can divide itself.
A '''cell cycle''' is the progress of events that are required for a eukaryotic cell to pass from one cell division to another. The timespan  for a cell cycle can vary for cells of different species and even between different cell types in the same organism. There are several phases that are divided into [[interphase]] and [[mitosis]].
Between different species and cell types the duraction can vary greatly.
==Interphase==
{{editintro}}
The cell grows during interphase in order to be large enough to divide again. It is also during this time that the cell synthesizes  different proteins and serve its function in the organism.
== Phases ==
===G<sub>1</sub>-Phase===
=== M-Phase ===
For many cells, this gap phase is the major period of cell growth during its lifespan. During this stage new [[organelles]] are being synthesized, so the cell requires both structural proteins and enzymes, resulting in great amount of protein synthesis. The metabolic rate of the cell will be high. The progression through  G<sub>1</sub> may be affected by limiting [[growth factor]]s, nutrient supply, and additional inhibiting factors. A rapidly dividing human cell which divides every 24 hours spends 9 hours in G<sub>1</sub> phase.<ref name=Lodish>{{cite book | author=Lodish et al. | title=Molecular Cell Biology | publisher= W.H. Freeman and Co. | edition=4th | year=2000 }} </ref>
During the M-Phase the cell first splits the nucleus in the [[mitosis]]. Afterwards the [[cytoplasm]] divides in the [[cytokinesis]].
The M-Phase takes normally around one hour.
The timespan between two M-Phases is called interphase.


===<math>G_1</math>-Phase===
There is a "restriction point" present at the end of G<sub>1</sub> phase; a series of check points ensure the DNA is intact and that the cell is functioning normally. This safeguard is controlled by proteins known as [[cyclin-dependent kinase]]s (CDK's) that can activate the processes responsible for DNA synthesis and allow the cell to enter S phase.<ref name=Lodish/>
 
A cell may pause in the '''G<sub>1</sub>''' phase before entering the [[S phase]] and enter a state of dormancy called the [[G0 phase|G<sub>0</sub> phase]]. In order to divide, the cell must re-enter the cycle in [[S phase]].<ref name=Lodish/>


===S-Phase===
===S-Phase===
===<math>G_2</math>-Phase===
[[S-phase]] is short for '''synthesis phase'''. At the beginning of the S-phase, each [[chromosome]] is composed of one coiled DNA [[double helix]] molecule called a [[chromatid]]. After DNA replication, each chromosome has '''two''' identical DNA double helix molecules known as sister chromatids (joined at the [[centromere]]). When the cell finally divides these two sister chromatids will separate, one into each daughter cells.
 
Damage to DNA often takes place during this phase, and [[DNA repair]] is initiated following the completion of replication. Incompletion of DNA repair may flag further [[cell cycle checkpoint]]s, which can pause the cell cycle.
===G<sub>2</sub>-Phase===
The last subphase during interphase within the cell cycle in which the cell undergoes a period of rapid growth to prepare for mitosis. At this gap phase in interphase the nucleus is well defined still bound by a nuclear envelope. Although chromosomes have been replicated they cannot yet be distinguished individually because they are still in the form of loosely packed [[chromatin]] fibers.
 
At the end of this phase is another [[cell cycle checkpoint|control checkpoint]] (G<sub>2</sub> checkpoint) to determine if the cell can proceed to [[Mitosis|M phase]] and [[cell division|divide]]. This is the last opportunity before division for [[DNA repair]] and stopping the proliferation of damaged cells.
 
== M-Phase ==
Mitosis is the process in which a [[eukaryotic]] cell separates the [[chromosome]]s in its [[cell nucleus]], into two identical sets in two daughter nuclei.<ref> Rubenstein, Irwin, and Susan M. Wick. "Cell." World Book Online Reference Center. 2008. 12 January 2008 <http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Article?id=ar102240> </ref>  It is generally followed immediately by [[cytokinesis]], which divides the nuclei, [[cytoplasm]], [[organelle]]s and [[cell membrane]] into two daughter cells containing roughly equal shares of these cellular components. Mitosis and cytokinesis together define the '''mitotic (M) phase''' of the [[cell cycle]] - the [[cell division|division]] of the mother cell into two daughter cells, genetically identical to each other and to their parent cell.
 
Mitosis occurs exclusively in [[eukaryote|eukaryotic]] cells, but occurs in different ways in different species. For example, [[animal]]s undergo an "open" mitosis, where the [[nuclear envelope]] breaks down before the chromosomes separate, while [[fungi]] such as ''[[Aspergillus nidulans]]'' and ''[[Saccharomyces cerevisiae]]'' ([[yeast]]) undergo a "closed" mitosis, where chromosomes divide within an intact [[cell nucleus]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=De Souza CP, Osmani SA |title=Mitosis, not just open or closed |journal=Eukaryotic Cell |volume=6 |issue=9 |pages=1521–7 |year=2007 |pmid=17660363 |doi=10.1128/EC.00178-07}}</ref>
 
The process of mitosis is complex and highly regulated. The sequence of events is divided into phases, corresponding to the completion of one set of activities and the start of the next. These stages are prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. During the process of mitosis the pairs of [[chromosomes]] condense and attach to fibers that pull the sister chromatids to opposite sides of the cell. The cell then divides in [[cytokinesis]], to produce two identical daughter cells.<ref>{{cite book | last = Maton | first = Anthea | authorlink = | coauthors = Hopkins, Jean Johnson, Susan LaHart, David, Quon Warner, David, Wright, Jill D | title = Cells: Building Blocks of Life | publisher = Prentice Hall | year = 1997 | location = New Jersey | pages = 70–74 | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 0-13423476-6 }}</ref>


Cell Cycle Control Mechanisms and Protocols Methods in Molecular Biology by Tim Humphrey, Gavin Brooks
==References==
<references/>

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A cell cycle is the progress of events that are required for a eukaryotic cell to pass from one cell division to another. The timespan for a cell cycle can vary for cells of different species and even between different cell types in the same organism. There are several phases that are divided into interphase and mitosis.

Interphase

The cell grows during interphase in order to be large enough to divide again. It is also during this time that the cell synthesizes different proteins and serve its function in the organism.

G1-Phase

For many cells, this gap phase is the major period of cell growth during its lifespan. During this stage new organelles are being synthesized, so the cell requires both structural proteins and enzymes, resulting in great amount of protein synthesis. The metabolic rate of the cell will be high. The progression through G1 may be affected by limiting growth factors, nutrient supply, and additional inhibiting factors. A rapidly dividing human cell which divides every 24 hours spends 9 hours in G1 phase.[1]

There is a "restriction point" present at the end of G1 phase; a series of check points ensure the DNA is intact and that the cell is functioning normally. This safeguard is controlled by proteins known as cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK's) that can activate the processes responsible for DNA synthesis and allow the cell to enter S phase.[1]

A cell may pause in the G1 phase before entering the S phase and enter a state of dormancy called the G0 phase. In order to divide, the cell must re-enter the cycle in S phase.[1]

S-Phase

S-phase is short for synthesis phase. At the beginning of the S-phase, each chromosome is composed of one coiled DNA double helix molecule called a chromatid. After DNA replication, each chromosome has two identical DNA double helix molecules known as sister chromatids (joined at the centromere). When the cell finally divides these two sister chromatids will separate, one into each daughter cells.

Damage to DNA often takes place during this phase, and DNA repair is initiated following the completion of replication. Incompletion of DNA repair may flag further cell cycle checkpoints, which can pause the cell cycle.

G2-Phase

The last subphase during interphase within the cell cycle in which the cell undergoes a period of rapid growth to prepare for mitosis. At this gap phase in interphase the nucleus is well defined still bound by a nuclear envelope. Although chromosomes have been replicated they cannot yet be distinguished individually because they are still in the form of loosely packed chromatin fibers.

At the end of this phase is another control checkpoint (G2 checkpoint) to determine if the cell can proceed to M phase and divide. This is the last opportunity before division for DNA repair and stopping the proliferation of damaged cells.

M-Phase

Mitosis is the process in which a eukaryotic cell separates the chromosomes in its cell nucleus, into two identical sets in two daughter nuclei.[2] It is generally followed immediately by cytokinesis, which divides the nuclei, cytoplasm, organelles and cell membrane into two daughter cells containing roughly equal shares of these cellular components. Mitosis and cytokinesis together define the mitotic (M) phase of the cell cycle - the division of the mother cell into two daughter cells, genetically identical to each other and to their parent cell.

Mitosis occurs exclusively in eukaryotic cells, but occurs in different ways in different species. For example, animals undergo an "open" mitosis, where the nuclear envelope breaks down before the chromosomes separate, while fungi such as Aspergillus nidulans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) undergo a "closed" mitosis, where chromosomes divide within an intact cell nucleus.[3]

The process of mitosis is complex and highly regulated. The sequence of events is divided into phases, corresponding to the completion of one set of activities and the start of the next. These stages are prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. During the process of mitosis the pairs of chromosomes condense and attach to fibers that pull the sister chromatids to opposite sides of the cell. The cell then divides in cytokinesis, to produce two identical daughter cells.[4]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lodish et al. (2000). Molecular Cell Biology, 4th. W.H. Freeman and Co.. 
  2. Rubenstein, Irwin, and Susan M. Wick. "Cell." World Book Online Reference Center. 2008. 12 January 2008 <http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Article?id=ar102240>
  3. De Souza CP, Osmani SA (2007). "Mitosis, not just open or closed". Eukaryotic Cell 6 (9): 1521–7. DOI:10.1128/EC.00178-07. PMID 17660363. Research Blogging.
  4. Maton, Anthea; Hopkins, Jean Johnson, Susan LaHart, David, Quon Warner, David, Wright, Jill D (1997). Cells: Building Blocks of Life. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 70–74. ISBN 0-13423476-6.