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The cell cycle is a series of complex, ordered, sequential events that control how a single cell divides into two cells, and involves several different phases. The phases include the G1 and G2 phases, DNA replication or S phase, and the actual process of cell division, mitosis or M phase. [ 1 ]
The eukaryotic cell cycle consists of four distinct phases: G 1 phase, S phase (synthesis), G 2 phase (collectively known as interphase) and M phase (mitosis and cytokinesis). M phase is itself composed of two tightly coupled processes: mitosis, in which the cell's nucleus divides, and cytokinesis, in which the cell's cytoplasm and cell membrane divides forming two daughter cells.
The curves form a hysteresis loop. Hysteresis is the dependence of the state of a system on its history. For example, a magnet may have more than one possible magnetic moment in a given magnetic field, depending on how the field changed in the past. Plots of a single component of the moment often form a loop or hysteresis curve, where there are ...
Interphase is the process through which a cell must go before mitosis, meiosis, and cytokinesis. [15] Interphase consists of three main phases: G 1, S, and G 2. G 1 is a time of growth for the cell where specialized cellular functions occur in order to prepare the cell for DNA replication. [16]
The G2 to M transition is dramatic; there is an all-or-nothing effect, and the transition is irreversible. This is advantageous to the cell because entering mitosis is a critical step in the life cycle of a cell. If it does not fully commit, the cell would run into many issues with partially dividing, ultimately likely leading to the cell's death.
DNA replication is an all-or-none process; once replication begins, it proceeds to completion. Once replication is complete, it does not occur again in the same cell cycle. This is made possible by the division of initiation of the pre-replication complex. [citation needed]
Mitotic DNA synthesis (MiDAS) is a process of irregular DNA replication where DNA synthesis, naturally occurring in the S phase, takes place in the M phase of the cell cycle. Mitotic DNA synthesis is known to occur when cells are experiencing stress related to DNA replication. [151]
Cells can be up to 10 cm long, and are separated by a small septum. [17] Small holes in the septum allow cytoplasm and cytoplasmic contents to flow from cell to cell. Osmotic pressure gradients occur through the length of the cell to drive this cytoplasmic flow. Flows contribute to growth and the formation of cellular subcompartments. [17] [18]