the cell cycle

• Why is cell division necessary in multicellular organisms?

  • Cell division is necessary for multicellular organisms to grow and to replace damaged or worn-out tissue.
• What are the two types of cell division in eukaryotic cells, and what are their outcomes?

  • The two types of cell division in eukaryotic cells are mitosis and meiosis.
  • Mitosis produces 2 genetically identical diploid daughter cells.
  • Meiosis produces 4 genetically non-identical haploid daughter cells (gametes).
• What is the purpose of mitosis in multicellular organisms?

  • Mitosis serves as a form of asexual reproduction and is essential for the growth of tissues, replacement of lost cells, repairing damaged tissue, and formation of clones of white blood cells in an immune response.
• Where does meiosis occur, and what is its role in reproduction?

  • Meiosis occurs in reproductive organs and is used to produce haploid sex cells for sexual reproduction.
• What is the cell cycle, and what are its starting and ending points?

  • The cell cycle is a process that cells capable of dividing multiple times undergo. It starts with a cell produced by mitosis and ends when the cell is ready to divide again.
• What happens during the G0 phase of the cell cycle?

  • During the G0 phase, specialised cells and stem cells move into a resting phase, where they temporarily halt their cell cycle activities.
• What is interphase, and what processes occur during it?

  Interphase is the phase of the cell cycle during which the cell grows, and DNA is replicated. Processes such as DNA replication and organelle replication occur during interphase.
• Explain the three stages of interphase

  • G1 (gap 1) phase: Cell elongates, and new organelles and proteins are made.
  • S (synthesis) phase: Cell replicates its DNA, which is essential before cell division.
  • G2 (gap 2) phase: Cell continues elongating, and proteins needed for cell division are made.
• What is the purpose of the S phase of interphase?

  The purpose of the S phase is to replicate the cell's DNA, ensuring that each daughter cell receives a complete set of genetic information.
• What are the key events of mitosis, and how does it result in the formation of new cells?

  • Mitosis involves nuclear division and results in the formation of two new identical daughter cells from an original cell. It can be described in stages such as prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
• What is cytokinesis, and when does it occur in the cell cycle?

  • Cytokinesis is the final stage of cell division where the cytoplasm divides, resulting in two separate genetically identical cells. It occurs after mitosis.