mitosis and the cell cycle

• cell cycle:

  • series of steps that the cell has to undergo in order to divide
  • there are three stages - interphase, mitosis, and cytokinesis
• interphase (stage 1):

  • cell grows
  • organelles (such as ribosomes and mitochondria) grow and increase in number
  • synthesis of protein occurs
  • dna is replicated
  • energy stores are increased
• mitosis (stage 2):

  • chromosomes line up at the equator of the cell
  • cell fibers pull each chromatid (chromosomes are 2 chromatids) to either side of the cell
• cytokinesis (stage 3):

  • cell membrane and cytoplasm divide into two
  • two identical daughter cells form
• importance of cell division:

  • growth and development
  • replacing damaged cells
  • asexual reproduction (mitosis)