interphase

• A cell spends most of its time in interphase, carrying out cellular functions and preparing for cell division
• G1 (Gap 1) – cell growth by producing more organelles and doubling in size, and metabolic changes in preparation for divisio
• S (Synthesis) – replication of DNA
• G2 (Gap 2) – enzymes check and correct any errors in the duplicated chromosomes and cytoplasmic materials prepare for mitosis
• The progression of cells through the cell cycle is controlled by checkpoints at transition points between the stages. The vast majority of cells pass through the checkpoints and continue to mitosis.
• If damaged DNA is detected at any checkpoint the cell cycle is stopped and begins repairing the damaged DNA. If the DNA cannot be repaired, then the cell undergoes apoptosis (programmed cell death).