CELL CYCLE

Cell reproduction is the leading cause of growth and 

developement in our bodies. This reproduction is caused by the cell cycle, which is defined as the life of a cell from its origin in the division of its parent cell until its own division into two. Genetic continuity, cytokinesis regulation, and tumor formation are three parts of the cell cycle. Mitosis and Meiosis are main events of the cell cycle that assure reproduction of cells. The process of meiosis affirms genetic continuity from a parent to a child, while mitosis affirms a genetic clone from one cell to the next. Meiosis takes place in order for sexual reproduction to occur, while mitosis regulates growth and repair among cells and tissue. Both processes incude: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase as their main steps during divisions. During interphase, the cell prepares itself for division. In this stage, the chromosomes and centromeres are replicated. Chromosomes are still undistinguishable due to loosly packed chromatin fibers. The nucleus is well-defined and bounded by a nuclear envelope, containing one or more nucleoli. When prophase occurs, changes take place in the nucleus and cytoplasm. The nucleus and nuclioli disappear, and the chromatin becomes visable to the naked eye, forming chromosomes. The cytoplasm begins to form microfibrils radiating from the two centromeres that move to opposite sides of the cell membrane/wall. Metaphase, the next phase in cell division, involves the lining up of chromosomes at the metaphase plate of the cell. The chromatid are attatched to the microfibrils. The cell is now prepared for anaphase, the following step, which is where the chromatid detach from one another and travel to opposite poles of the cell. During the last phase, telophase, daughter cells arise from the single parent cell.