Cell Cycle (overview, interphase)

The cell cycle is defined as the stages through which a cell passes from one cell division to the
next so it is the stages of which the cell grows and prepares for division and when the cell
divides. It divides into two identical cells.
A cell cycle is a series of events that takes place in a cell as it grows and divides. A cell spends
most of its time in what is called interphase, and during this time it grows, replicates its
chromosomes, and prepares for cell division. The cell then leaves interphase, undergoes
mitosis, and completes its division.
 Phases of the Cell Cycle
As mentioned, the cell goes through a series of events in a specific order to divide. It all starts
with the parent cell growing in size and then making a copy of its genetic material. Finally, they
split to produce two daughter cells.
The process of cell division is more straightforward in lower, single-celled (prokaryotes)
organisms than higher multicellular (eukaryotes) ones. The reason is that a prokaryotic cell has
a relatively simpler cell organization with a single circular chromosome, absence of a nucleus,
and few cell organelles. In contrast, eukaryotic cells have multiple chromosomes present within
a nucleus and various organelles.
A eukaryotic cell cycle consists of two main parts: 1) interphase and 2) mitotic (M) phase, and
an alternative part called the G0-phase.
1) Interphase
It is the first phase of the cell cycle, recognized by the growth period where the chromosome
gets duplicated as the cell prepares for division. Interphase happens between one cell division
or mitotic (M) phase and the next. It is the longest part of the cell cycle involving three sub-
phases. The typical duration of this phase is 23 hours.
G1-phase: Also known as the first-gap phase, during this period, the cells grow in size,
synthesize cell organelles and other macromolecules such as proteins that serve as the building
block of the cell. The cells also accumulate sufficient energy required for division.
S-phase: Also known as the synthesis phase, the existing DNA is copied within the nucleus. This
process of DNA synthesis is also known as DNA-replication. The centrosome is also duplicated
during this phase and gives rise to spindle fibers. The entire S-phase requires energy
expenditure to proceed.
G2-phase: This is the second gap phase and is somewhat similar to the G1-phase. During this
period, the cells grow further in size, making more proteins and organelles. All preparations for
mitosis get completed before the cells enter the mitotic phase.
2) Mitotic (M) Phase
This period is also known as the cell division phase and occurs just after the G2-phase. Here, the
cell divides its genetic material (DNA) and cytoplasm to form two new cells. The M-phase
involves two different critical processes that unfold in the following order:
a) Mitosis or Karyokinesis
It is the nuclear division period and consists of four phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase,
and telophase. During this phase, the cell divides the nucleus and gets separated into two
daughter cells, where each daughter cell receives a complete set of chromosomes. The details
of its different phases are discussed in the mitosis article.
b) Cytokinesis
It is the process by which the cytoplasm of the cell splits to form two independent cells. The
phase of cytokinesis begins towards the end of mitosis such that the two processes overlap.
Cytokinesis is the shortest phase of the cell cycle that occurs differently in plants and animals.
The division in plant cells occurs by forming a cell plate structure in the middle of the cell. The
cell plate is made of components made of the cell membrane and cell wall.
The division in animal cells happens when a band of cytoskeletal fibers known as contractile
rings forms just below the cell membrane in the metaphase plate’s position. The contractile
rings contract inwards, thus creating a depression or crack, called cleavage furrow. The cracks
increase, and slowly the membrane cleaves to form two daughter cells at the end of the cell
cycle.
End Result
Two individual daughter cells are formed, each having identical copies of the genetic material.
G0-phase
Some cells do not immediately enter another round of preparatory phase or interphase
following the division or mitosis. Instead, they exit the G1 growth phase and enter a resting
stage called G0-phase. Thus, G0 is also called the alternative phase of the cell cycle.  Some cells
enter the G0-phase temporarily until an outside signal triggers the onset of G1. In contrast,
other cells that either never divide or seldom divide, such as nerve cells or cardiac cells, remain
in G0-phase permanently.
Regulation of Cell Cycle
The cell cycle occurs in an orderly and natural manner. A group of proteins called regulatory
proteins ensures an error-free process. There are some checkpoints whose purpose is to
control the system and determine whether the cell will start or delay the next phase of the cell
cycle. The main checkpoints are:
1. G1-checkpoint: Present just before the entry into S-phase, it makes the critical decision
whether the cell will enter the S-phase. The decision is based on whether the cell is big enough
and has synthesized proteins necessary for DNA synthesis.
2. G2-checkpoint: Checks errors in the DNA-synthesis phase and, based on the result, bars the
entry into the M-phase. This checkpoint helps to prevent the occurrence of cancer in higher
animals. Suppose there is an error in DNA replication. In that case, the G2 checkpoint prevents
the cell from progressing further in the cell cycle and checks the error in the newly formed
DNA. 
3. M-checkpoint: This occurs near the end of the metaphase stage. It checks whether all sister
chromatids are correctly attached to the spindle fibers. The M-checkpoint ensures that equal
division of chromosome occurs between the two daughter cells. 
In case the above cell cycle regulators do not function properly, the organism may end up with
too few or too many cells. Apart from the above checkpoints, many growth factors and
chemicals stimulate the cell to progress through the cell cycle.
Purpose and Importance of the Cell Cycle
The function of the cell cycle is to prepare the cell for future division. Imagine a cell dividing
without growing and reproducing the cellular machinery. Each round of cell division will result
in a gradual decrease in the daughter cell, which becomes half in size of the parent cell. The
genetic material also reduces in the daughter cell. This situation summarizes the importance of
growth before cell division. Thus, to accomplish growth and prepare for cell division, cells need
to undergo different phases.