Biology Unit 2: The cell cycle

The cell cycle is the process of cell growth and division.

It starts when a cell has been produced by cell division and ends with the cell dividing to produce 2 identical cells.

It consists of a period of cell growth and DNA replication, called interphase... and a period of cell division, called mitosis.

Interphase (cell growth) is subdivided into three separate growth stages. These are called G1, S and G2.

G1 - Gap phases 1: cell grows and new organelles and proteins are made.

S - synthesis: cell replicates its DNA, ready to divide by mitosis

G2 - Gap phases 2: cell keeps growing and proteins needed for cell division are made.

These three components make up interphase.

Good luck on your exams!