The Cell Cycle

Every human being begins as a single cell, similar to the cheek cells we saw under
the microscope. So how did we grow to become the large, complex organisms that
we are today?

Our cells grow, but they can only become a certain size. Remember that the
nutrients cells need and the wastes they produce must enter or leave the cell
through the cell membrane. As the cell grows, its volume increases, and the ratio of
its surface area to volume decreases. If the cell grows too large, diffusion of
nutrients and wastes across the membrane cannot keep up with the cells nutrient
demands and the wastes being produced within the cell. To solve this problem, cell
divides to form two smaller ______________________cells. It is this process of
___________________________ that allows us to grow from single cells and become
complex, multi-cellular organisms.

Cell division is also important for the _____________ and ________________________of

tissues. For example, we are constantly shedding skin cells, and cell division must
occur to replace the cells that are lost. When we hurt ourselves, our tissues repair
themselves through cell division. Without cell division, cuts and scrapes wouldnt be
able to heal.

However, cells are not constantly dividing. The life cycle of a cell is known as the
_______________, and the two main phases are ____________________ and
____________________.
Interphase is known as a resting phase. During this phase, the cell grows, builds
proteins, and performs its regular tasks and functions. It also copies its DNA in
preparation for cell division.

Interphase is divided into three parts:

G1 Phase: Cell grows, builds proteins, produces more organelles, and performs its
regular tasks (bringing in oxygen and glucose, making energy through cellular
respiration, removing wastes)

S Phase: Cell makes a copy (_________________) its DNA in preparation for cell
division

G2 Phase: Cell continues to grow and produce more organelles.

Throughout the cell cycle, there are ________________________ at which specialized

proteins check to make sure that the cell is ready to proceed along the cell cycle.
If the DNA is damaged or has not replicated, or if the cell is not getting enough
nutrients to support its growth, the cell cycle will not continue and cell division will
not occur.
If everything is running smoothly, the cell will proceed from __________________ to the
________________________stage, called the __________________ phase.

___________________ is the process by which the cells genetic material is divided in

order to produce two identical daughter cells, each with a full copy of the genetic
information. It is the division of the nucleus into two identical nuclei. It is followed by
_________________, the process by which the cells cytoplasm and organelles are
divided amongst the two daughter cells.

MITOSIS is made up of four phases:

1) __________________
2) __________________
3) __________________
4) __________________

During _____________, the replicated chromosomes thicken and condense, and

become visible under a light microscope. The nuclear membrane begins to break
down, and the _________________ in animal cells begin to migrate to the two opposite
ends (______________) of the cell, and thread-like proteins called __________________
begin to form, stretching from the centrioles toward the chromosomes.

During __________________, the centrioles reach the opposite ends (POLES) of the cell,
and the chromosomes line up at the centre (EQUATOR) of the cell. Spindle fibres
from the centrioles at each pole attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes.

During _______________, the centromeres holding the sister chromatids together

break, and each chromatid is pulled toward the end of the cell by the spindle fibres.
Each side of the cell now has its own complete set of genetic material.

During ________________, the spindle fibres begin to disappear, and new nuclei begin
to form around the two new sets of chromosomes at each end of the cell.