The Cell Cycle
Name of
Stage
G1
Image
What happens?
●
●
●
●
The cell grows and
increases in size
Protein synthesis
Respiration
Metabolic processes
(biochemical reactions
that take place inside
cells)
S
●
DNA synthesis… each
DNA strand is replicated
so that there are 2
identical copies
G2
●
The cells grows and
further increases is size
Centrioles replicate
Mitochondria and
chloroplast replicate
●
●
Prophase
●
●
●
Metaphase
●
●
Anaphase
●
●
Telophase
●
●
●
DNA condenses by
supercoiling so that
chromosomes become
visible
Nuclear membrane
breaks down
Spindle fibers start to
grow
Chromosomes line up
along the equator
Spindle fibers connect to
each chromosome
Chromosomes divide into
two sister chromatids
Spindle fibers get shorter,
which pulls the sister
chromatids towards the
poles
Chromosomes uncoil
Nuclear envelope reforms
Spindle fibers break down
Cytokinesis
●
The cell divides into 2
genetically identical
daughter cells
Student checklist
• Interphase is a very active phase of the cell cycle with many processes occurring in the
nucleus and cytoplasm
• Chromosomes condense by supercoiling during mitosis
• The sequence of events in the four phases of mitosis should be known
Learning resources
<<celldivision.exe>> <<IBID
Biology
Animation Mitosis.swf>>