Lesson 3.

Cell Cycle and Cell

Divisions

General Biology 1
Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics
Any sexually
reproducing
multicellular
organism
begins as a
single-celled
entity.

2
The single-celled
entity then relies
on cellular events
to produce more
cells, the early
stage of which is
shown in the
blastula.

3
 Further growth and development proceed
through the continuous reproduction and
specialization of cells. The process repeats for
as long as needed to ensure the maintenance
and survival of an individual.

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OBJECTIVES:

● Identify and describe the phases of the cell cycle.

● Explain the significance of the cell cycle control

points.

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 The Genetic Material of Cells

DNA Molecule
Almost every cell in our bodies has
genetic material in the form of
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

● Most biological traits such as eye

color, hair color, and height are
coded for by the DNA.
DNA is the genetic material
in living cells. 6
 The Genetic Material of Cells

DNA, the primary

genetic material of
living organisms,
stores genetic
information in the
sequences of its
nucleotides.

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The Genetic Material of Cells

Positively
charged
histone
proteins aid in
DNA
packaging.

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 The Genetic Material of Cells

Chromatin
Interphase DNA is found in
the form of chromatin, a
complex of DNA and proteins.

● Chromatin in dispersed
inside the intact cell
nucleus during interphase.
Interphase cells of onion
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 The Genetic Material of Cells

Chromosome
● Chromatin will sometimes
need to further condense
into a highly coiled and
compact structure. This
highly condensed form of
DNA is known as a
Insect chromosomes are highly
chromosome.
condensed structures when
viewed under a microscope
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The Genetic Material of Cells

Humans have
46 individual
(or 23 pairs of)
chromosomes.

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● Chromatin condenses into chromosomes. Each half
of the chromosome is a chromatid.
● To help you remember this, imagine the chromatin
to be a very thin string of DNA. Imagine the string
being wound up into a thick rope. This thick rope is
the chromosome. Now, imagine each half of that
rope to be similar to the other half. These halves are
the chromatids.

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 Introduction to Cell Cycle

● All species of organisms have their own life cycle that

shows how they are born, develop, and mature.

Life cycle of various organisms

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 Introduction to Cell Cycle

Much like entire organisms, individual cells also have their

own life cycle. The life cycle of a cell is known as the cell
cycle, and this describes how cells grow, develop, and
reproduce.

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What are the different phases
of the cell cycle and how does
the cell make sure that these
phases proceed smoothly?

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Introduction to Cell Cycle

The cell cycle involves different phases that constitute a series of

preparations for a cell to divide to produce new cells. 16
 Stages of the Cell Cycle

Interphase

Three Stages of
M phase
the Cell Cycle

Cytokinesis

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 The Cell Cycle

Interphase - Gap 1

Interphase - S

Interphase - Gap 2 The phases

of the cell
cycle
M phase

Cytokinesis

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 The Cell Cycle

Growth of cytoplasm Produce proteins,

Interphase - Gap 1
and doubling of enzymes, nutrients,
organelles and energy
Interphase - S

Events during
Interphase - Gap 2
the G1 phase
M phase
Movement of centrioles
Highest rate of protein of the centrosomes away
Cytokinesis synthesis to await and assist the
events of mitosis
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 The Cell Cycle

Interphase - Gap 1 Events during the S phase

● This stage is named so because it is
Interphase - S when the cell synthesizes a copy of its
DNA in a very notable process called
Interphase - Gap 2
DNA replication.
○ This refers to the event when an
M phase
existing DNA produces another
Cytokinesis
copy of itself.

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 The Cell Cycle

Interphase - Gap 1

Interphase - S

Interphase - Gap 2

M phase

Cytokinesis

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 The Cell Cycle

Interphase - Gap 1 Continued growth and the

production of materials
Interphase - S that are necessary for cell
Events division to occur
during the
Interphase - Gap 2
Gap 2
M phase
phase Protein synthesis but not
at the rate similar to that
of the G1 phase
Cytokinesis

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 The Cell Cycle

Interphase - Gap 1 Mitosis or Meiosis

● The M phase in eukaryotic organisms
Interphase - S involves either one of two processes,
namely, mitosis and meiosis.
Interphase - Gap 2
○ Sex cells or gametes undergo
meiosis, whereas somatic cells or
M phase
non-sex cells undergo mitosis.
Cytokinesis

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 The Cell Cycle

Interphase - Gap 1

Interphase - S

Interphase - Gap 2

M phase

Cytokinesis Cytokinesis is marked by the formation of a cleavage

furrow in animal cells. 24
 The Cell Cycle

Interphase - Gap 1

Interphase - S

Interphase - Gap 2

M phase

Cytokinesis Cytokinesis is marked by the formation of a cell plate

in plant cells. 25
The process of mitosis and meiosis
refers to the division of the nucleus
and genetic material. Cytokinesis, on
the other hand, refers to the division of
the cytoplasm.

Cytokinesis can only occur once the

genetic material is properly distributed
to the daughter cells. 26
 The Cell Cycle Checkpoints

G1-to-S checkpoint

Cell Cycle
G2-to-M checkpoint
Checkpoints

Metaphase checkpoint

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 The Cell Cycle Checkpoints

G1-to-S Checkpoint G2-to-M Checkpoint M Checkpoint

Is the cell large

enough with all the
necessary energy
reserves and
Is there any damage doubled organelles?
in the cell’s DNA?

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 The Cell Cycle Checkpoints

G1-to-S Checkpoint G2-to-M Checkpoint M Checkpoint

Are the Is the DNA properly

environmental replicated?
conditions
favorable for cell
division to take
Is there a presence
place?
of DNA damage?

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 The Cell Cycle Checkpoints

G1-to-S Checkpoint G2-to-M Checkpoint M Checkpoint

Are the spindles

properly
attached?

Mitotic
spindle
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Identify the cell cycle phase or checkpoint being referred
to in the following statements.

1. This is when DNA replication occurs.

2. This is the first stage of the interphase.
3. This refers to the division that occurs in somatic cells.
4. This checks if the chromosomes are properly duplicated.
5. This refers to the division of the cytoplasm.

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The first two words are separated by a colon. These
two words are related to each other. Analyze this
relationship in order to fill in the missing word that
will complete the second pair.

1. mitosis: nucleus cytokinesis: __________

2. plants: cell plate animals: __________
3. interphase: chromatin mitosis: __________

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● The life cycle of a cell is known as the cell cycle,
and it describes how cells grow, develop, and
reproduce.

● With very few exceptions, all of the cells in your

body contain genetic material in the form of DNA
or deoxyribonucleic acid, which is usually found
in the nucleus of your cells.
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● There are three main stages in the cell cycle,
namely, interphase, M phase, and cytokinesis.

● Interphase is the stage when the cell prepares

itself for eventual cell division, which can either be
mitosis or meiosis. It is also the stage when the
cell is metabolically active and performs its
specialized function.
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● Cytokinesis refers to the division of the cell’s
cytoplasm and other components. This process
significantly differs between animal cells and
plant cells, primarily because of the presence of
cell walls in the latter.

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The cell cycle involves a series of events that lead to the production of cells.
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What is the importance of interphase
in relation to cell division?

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References:

Boyer, Rodney F. Concepts in Biochemistry. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2006.

Hickman, Cleveland P. Integrated Principles of Zoology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2011.

Miller, Stephen A., and John P. Harley. Zoology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2010.

Russell, Peter J. Biology: The Dynamic Science. Student Ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Brooks/Cole, 2008.

Starr, Cecie, Ralph Taggart, Christine A. Evers, and Lisa Starr. Biology: the Unity and Diversity of Life. Boston, MA: Cengage,
2019.

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