This deep dive covers The Cell Cycle Overview within Mitosis and the Cell Cycle for GCSE Biology. Cell division by mitosis, cell cycle phases, chromosome behavior, cytokinesis differences, stem cells, cancer, and practical investigations It is section 2 of 19 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 2 of 19
Practice
18 questions
Recall
18 flashcards
🎯 The Cell Cycle Overview
The cell cycle is the series of events that cells go through as they grow and divide. It has two main phases:
📚 Interphase (90% of cell cycle)
The 'busy' phase where the cell grows and prepares for division
- G1 (Gap 1): Cell grows and accumulates materials and energy
- S (Synthesis): DNA replication occurs - each chromosome is duplicated
- G2 (Gap 2): Cell continues to grow and proteins for division are made
Key Point: DNA replication in S phase means each chromosome becomes two identical chromatids joined at the centromere
🔄 M Phase (Mitosis + Cytokinesis)
The division phase where the nucleus and then the cell divide
- Mitosis: Nuclear division - chromosomes are distributed equally
- Cytokinesis: Cytoplasm division - cell splits into two