What does Cell Cycle mean?

The dividing cell

G₁ and G₂

_{Overview of mitosis}

What does cell cycle mean?

The cell cycle refers to the distinct stages through which a cell goes, from the moment it becomes a cell to the moment it divides to result in 2 separate cells. Bear in mind that some cells cease to divide any longer after a certain period of time, depending on cell type. If that’s the case, they are said to be in resting phase termed G₀.

Within the dividing cell, it starts with gap 1, G₁, continues into the S phase (S is for Synthesis) where DNA replicates, followed by gap 2, G₂, and ending with mitosis.

G₁ and G₂ may sound like codes for some complex enzymes, but they are mere notations for gaps 1 and 2, which are just that: gaps between mitosis and DNA replication (in the S phase) respectively. G₁ through to G₂ – that’s G₁, S phase and G₂ – are all stages which collectively are known as interphase. Inter = between; phase = …phase, so interphase is just the stage between a cell’s creation and that cell’s division by mitosis.