"The cell cycle, or cell-division cycle, is the series of events that take place in a cell that causes it to divide into two daughter cells."
An analysis of the processes involved in cell division and reproduction, including the cell cycle, mitosis, and meiosis.
DNA replication: The process of copying the genetic material in a cell.
Mitosis: The division of the nucleus and genetic material during cell division.
Cytokinesis: The physical separation of the cell into two daughter cells after mitosis.
Meiosis: The specialized cell division process that produces gametes with unique genetic material.
Cell cycle checkpoints: Mechanisms that prevent cells from dividing until all necessary processes have been completed and errors have been corrected.
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs): Regulatory proteins that control progression through the cell cycle.
Tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes: Genes that play key roles in preventing or promoting cancer development by controlling cell cycle progression.
Telomeres and telomerase: Structures at the ends of chromosomes that play important roles in cell proliferation and aging.
Cell differentiation: The process by which cells become specialized and acquire distinct functions.
Apoptosis: Programmed cell death that plays an important role in development, maintenance, and repair of tissues.
Mitosis: A type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells. It occurs in somatic cells, and is necessary for growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues.
Meiosis: A type of cell division that results in four genetically diverse daughter cells. It occurs in germ cells, and is necessary for sexual reproduction and the production of gametes.
Binary fission: A type of cell division that occurs in prokaryotes, such as bacteria. The cell replicates its genetic material and splits into two identical daughter cells.
Budding: A type of cell division that occurs in yeast and some other single-celled organisms. A new cell grows on the surface of the parent cell and eventually splits off to become a separate individual.
Endoreduplication: A type of cell cycle variation in which cells undergo successive rounds of DNA replication without cell division. This results in cells with higher ploidy, or chromosome number.
Syncytial cell division: A type of cell division in which multiple nuclei are present in a single cell without cytokinesis, resulting in a multinucleated cell or syncytium.
Asymmetric cell division: A type of cell division in which cells divide unequally, resulting in two daughter cells with different fates or properties.
Amoeboid cell division: A type of cell division that occurs in some unicellular organisms, such as amoebas. The cell membrane and cytoplasm divide in a way that creates two new cells with different shapes and sizes.
Polyembryony: A type of cell division that occurs in certain plants, resulting in the production of multiple embryos from a single zygote.
"In cells with nuclei (eukaryotes, i.e., animal, plant, fungal, and protist cells), the cell cycle is divided into two main stages: interphase and the mitotic (M) phase (including mitosis and cytokinesis)."
"During interphase, the cell grows, accumulating nutrients needed for mitosis, and replicates its DNA and some of its organelles."
"During the mitotic phase, the replicated chromosomes, organelles, and cytoplasm separate into two new daughter cells."
"To ensure the proper replication of cellular components and division, there are control mechanisms known as cell cycle checkpoints after each of the key steps of the cycle that determine if the cell can progress to the next phase."
"In cells without nuclei (prokaryotes, i.e., bacteria and archaea), the cell cycle is divided into the B, C, and D periods."
"The B period extends from the end of cell division to the beginning of DNA replication."
"DNA replication occurs during the C period."
"The D period refers to the stage between the end of DNA replication and the splitting of the bacterial cell into two daughter cells."
"In single-celled organisms, a single cell-division cycle is how the organism replicates itself."
"In multicellular organisms such as plants and animals, a series of cell-division cycles is how the organism develops from a single-celled fertilized egg into a mature organism, and is also the process by which hair, skin, blood cells, and some internal organs are regenerated and healed."
"After cell division, each of the daughter cells begin the interphase of a new cell cycle."
"Although the various stages of interphase are not usually morphologically distinguishable..."
"Each phase of the cell cycle has a distinct set of specialized biochemical processes that prepare the cell for initiation of the cell division."
"During interphase, the cell grows, accumulating nutrients needed for mitosis, and replicates its DNA and some of its organelles."
"During the mitotic phase, the replicated chromosomes, organelles, and cytoplasm separate into two new daughter cells."
"To ensure the proper replication of cellular components and division, there are control mechanisms known as cell cycle checkpoints after each of the key steps of the cycle that determine if the cell can progress to the next phase."
"This is also the process by which hair, skin, blood cells, and some internal organs are regenerated and healed (with the possible exception of nerves; see nerve damage)."
"In cells with nuclei (eukaryotes, i.e., animal, plant, fungal, and protist cells), the cell cycle is divided into two main stages: interphase and the mitotic (M) phase (including mitosis and cytokinesis)."
"The series of events that take place in a cell that causes it to divide into two daughter cells."