Prep for division: structures for division made/ more growth state of cell cycle

To prepare for division, cells go through several steps to ensure successful cell division. These steps include:

1. Interphase: Before division, cells spend most of their time in interphase, which consists of three stages - G1, S, and G2. During this phase, the cell grows, duplicates its DNA, and prepares for division.

2. Checkpoints: Throughout the cell cycle, checkpoints are present to monitor the integrity and accuracy of DNA replication. These checkpoints ensure that cells are ready for division and can detect and repair any DNA damage before proceeding.

3. Mitosis: Mitosis is the process of cell division that consists of four stages - prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. During mitosis, the duplicated chromosomes condense, align at the center of the cell, separate, and move to opposite ends of the cell, forming two identical daughter cells.

4. Cytokinesis: After mitosis, cytokinesis occurs, which is the physical separation of the cell into two daughter cells. In animal cells, a contractile ring of actin and myosin filaments forms, causing the cell membrane to pinch inward and eventually divide the cell. In plant cells, a new cell wall is formed through the deposition of cellulose, separating the two daughter cells.

Overall, the preparation for division involves the growth, duplication, and coordination of cellular structures and processes to ensure the accurate separation of genetic material and successful division into two daughter cells.

To understand the preparation for division and the structures involved, we need to take a closer look at the cell cycle and its different phases. The cell cycle is a series of events that occur in a cell leading to its division into two daughter cells. It consists of interphase and mitotic phase.

During interphase, the cell prepares for division by undergoing growth and DNA replication. It is further divided into three stages: G1, S, and G2.

1. G1 Phase (Gap 1):
- The cell increases its size and carries out normal metabolic activities.
- Proteins and organelles required for cell division are synthesized.
- Cells that do not divide anymore may stay in G1, called G0 phase.

2. S Phase (Synthesis):
- DNA replication occurs during this phase.
- The cell duplicates its chromosomes, ensuring each daughter cell will receive a complete set.

3. G2 Phase (Gap 2):
- The cell continues to grow.
- Additional preparations for division take place, such as synthesizing proteins needed for cell division.

After interphase, the cell enters the mitotic phase, which consists of mitosis (nuclear division) and cytokinesis (cytoplasmic division). This phase ensures the equal distribution of genetic material and cellular contents to the daughter cells.

During mitosis, the cell undergoes several distinct steps:
1. Prophase: The condensed chromosomes become visible, and the nuclear envelope starts to disintegrate.
2. Metaphase: Chromosomes align at the equator of the cell.
3. Anaphase: Sister chromatids separate and move towards opposite poles of the cell.
4. Telophase: New nuclear membranes form around each set of chromosomes.
5. Cytokinesis: The cytoplasm divides, creating two distinct daughter cells.

To summarize, during the cell cycle, the cell prepares for division in interphase by undergoing growth and DNA replication in the G1, S, and G2 phases. The structures involved in division are the chromosomes, nuclear envelope, and cytoplasmic components. Mitosis ensures the proper separation of genetic material, and cytokinesis completes the process by dividing the cell into two daughter cells.

To prepare for cell division, it is important for the cell to go through certain structural changes and reach the appropriate stage of the cell cycle. Here are the steps involved:

1. Interphase: This is the phase before cell division where the cell prepares itself for division. During interphase, there are three subphases:

- G1 Phase (Gap 1): In this phase, the cell grows and carries out its normal functions. It also synthesizes proteins required for DNA replication.

- S Phase (Synthesis): During this phase, DNA replication occurs, resulting in the duplication of the cell's genetic material. Each chromosome is replicated, forming two identical sister chromatids held together at a region called the centromere.

- G2 Phase (Gap 2): In this phase, the cell continues to grow and prepares for division. It synthesizes additional proteins needed for cell division and checks for any errors in the replicated DNA.

2. Prophase: This is the first stage of mitosis, which is the process of dividing the cell's nucleus. The following changes occur during prophase:

- The chromatin condenses and becomes more compact, forming visible chromosomes.
- The nuclear membrane disintegrates, releasing the chromosomes into the cytoplasm.
- A structure called the spindle apparatus begins to form. It consists of microtubules that will help in separating the sister chromatids.

3. Metaphase: During metaphase, the chromosomes line up at the center of the cell along the equatorial plane. The following events take place:

- The spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of each chromosome.
- Due to the tension exerted by the spindle fibers, the chromosomes align in a single file along the metaphase plate.

4. Anaphase: In this stage, the sister chromatids separate and are pulled towards opposite ends of the cell. The steps involved are:

- The spindle fibers shorten, causing the sister chromatids to separate at the centromere.
- The separated chromatids are then pulled to opposite poles of the cell by the spindle fibers.

5. Telophase: Telophase marks the final stage of mitosis. The following changes occur:

- The chromosomes reach the opposite poles of the cell.
- The nuclear envelope reforms around each set of chromosomes, forming two separate nuclei.
- The chromosomes decondense back into chromatin.
- The spindle fibers disassemble.

6. Cytokinesis: Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm following mitosis. In animal cells, a cleavage furrow forms, and the cell membrane pinches inwards to separate the two daughter cells. In plant cells, a cell plate forms at the equator and gradually develops into a new cell wall, resulting in the formation of two daughter cells.

These steps ensure that the genetic material is properly divided and distributed to the daughter cells, allowing for growth and development.