cell cycle
Mitosis and interphase
The cell cycle is the sequence of events by which a cell duplicates its contents and divides into two daughter cells.
It proceeds through distinct phases: growth, DNA replication, and division.
Cancer results from uncontrolled cell cycle progression.
The cycle is tightly regulated by checkpoints that ensure accurate copying and distribution of genetic material.
Pre-division growth stage
Increase in size
- multiplicationProduct-finding operation
- doubling timeTime to grow twofold
- population growthIncrease in inhabitants over time
- mitosisNuclear division producing identical cells
clonal expansion · tissue growth · hyperplasia · exponential growth
Inspection station on route
- kinasePhosphate-transferring enzyme
- tumor suppressorGene preventing uncontrolled growth
- oncogeneTumor-inducing genetic element
- growth factorsProteins stimulating cell proliferation
Gene-bearing nuclear structures
- centromereChromosome's spindle attachment site
- spindleRotating rod for thread
- segregationForced separation by group
- nuclear envelopeBarrier enclosing chromosomes
Uncontrolled cell proliferation disease
Constructing genetic material
- DNA polymeraseEnzyme that copies chromosomes
- Okazaki fragmentsShort DNA replication pieces
- genome duplicationCopying all chromosomes
- chromatinNuclear protein-wrapped genetic material
interphase
Pre-division growth stage
growth
Increase in size
- multiplicationProduct-finding operation
- doubling timeTime to grow twofold
- population growthIncrease in inhabitants over time
mitosis · clonal expansion · tissue growth · hyperplasia · exponential growth
checkpoint
Inspection station on route
- kinasePhosphate-transferring enzyme
- tumor suppressorGene preventing uncontrolled growth
- oncogeneTumor-inducing genetic element
growth factors · inhibitors · phosphorylation · proteolysis · feedback loop
chromosomes
Gene-bearing nuclear structures
- centromereChromosome's spindle attachment site
- spindleRotating rod for thread
- segregationForced separation by group
cancer
Uncontrolled cell proliferation disease
neoplasia · malignancy · immortalization · transformation · metastasis
DNA synthesis
Constructing genetic material
- DNA polymeraseEnzyme that copies chromosomes
- Okazaki fragmentsShort DNA replication pieces
- genome duplicationCopying all chromosomes
- cell divisionmitosis, meiosis, cytokinesis, binary fission, prophase
- growthgrowth, grow, growing, growth rate, increase
- cellscells, blood cells, nerve cells, brain cells, mitosis
- cyclescircle of life, period, rhythms, oscillations, full circle
- periodic cyclesseasons, day, night, tides, circadian rhythm
- cell biologycytoplasm, ribosome, mitochondria, nucleus, organelles
cell cycleapoptosis
Programmed cell death
cell death · necrosis · autophagy · cytolysis · ferroptosis