The Cell Cycle

S phase

second, or synthesis, stage of interphase during which DNA replication occurs

G1 phase

(also, first gap) first phase of interphase centered on cell growth during mitosis

mitosis

(also, karyokinesis) period of the cell cycle during which the duplicated chromosomes are separated into identical nuclei; includes prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase

G2 phase

(also, second gap) third phase of interphase during which the cell undergoes final preparations for mitosis

mitotic spindle

apparatus composed of microtubules that orchestrates the movement of chromosomes during mitosis

cleavage furrow

constriction formed by an actin ring during cytokinesis in animal cells that leads to cytoplasmic division

G0 phase

distinct from the G1 phase of interphase; a cell in G0 is not preparing to divide

cytokinesis

division of the cytoplasm following mitosis that forms two daughter cells.

metaphase plate

equatorial plane midway between the two poles of a cell where the chromosomes align during metaphase

karyokinesis

mitotic nuclear division

cell cycle

ordered series of events involving cell growth and cell division that produces two new daughter cells

mitotic phase

period of the cell cycle during which duplicated chromosomes are distributed into two nuclei and cytoplasmic contents are divided; includes karyokinesis (mitosis) and cytokinesis

interphase

period of the cell cycle leading up to mitosis; includes G1, S, and G2 phases (the interim period between two consecutive cell divisions

kinetochore

protein structure associated with the centromere of each sister chromatid that attracts and binds spindle microtubules during prometaphase

condensin

proteins that help sister chromatids coil during prophase

quiescent

refers to a cell that is performing normal cell functions and has not initiated preparations for cell division

centriole

rod-like structure constructed of microtubules at the center of each animal cell centrosome

metaphase

stage of mitosis during which chromosomes are aligned at the metaphase plate

telophase

stage of mitosis during which chromosomes arrive at opposite poles, decondense, and are surrounded by a new nuclear envelope

prophase

stage of mitosis during which chromosomes condense and the mitotic spindle begins to form

anaphase

stage of mitosis during which sister chromatids are separated from each other

prometaphase

stage of mitosis during which the nuclear membrane breaks down and mitotic spindle fibers attach to kinetochores

cell plate

structure formed during plant cell cytokinesis by Golgi vesicles, forming a temporary structure (phragmoplast) and fusing at the metaphase plate; ultimately leads to the formation of cell walls that separate the two daughter cells