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Cell Cycle Definition and its Types

Definition:
A series of events leading to the formation of new cell is known as cell cycle. The series of events include several phases.

History of a Cell

Year

 Scientist  

Events
1665 Robert Hooke Coined word “Cell”
1670-74 Anthony van Laeeuwenhoek First living cells observed in microscope – Structure of bacteria
1831-33 Robert Brown Presence of nucleus in cells of orchid roots
1839 Jan Evangelista Purkyne (J.E. Purkinje) Coined “Protoplasm”
1838-39 Schleiden & Schwann Cell theory
1858 Rudolph Ludwig Carl Virchow Cell theory ‘omnis cellula e cellula’
1873 Anton Schneider Described chromosomes (Nuclear filaments) for the first time
1882 Walther Flemming Coined the word mitosis; chromosome behaviour
1883 Edouard Van Beneden Cell division in round worm
1888 Theodor Boveri Centrosome; Chromosome Theory

Duration of Cell Cycle

Different kinds of cells have varied duration for cell cycle phases. Eukaryotic cell divides every 24 hours. The cell cycle is divided into mitosis and interphase. In a cell cycle 95% is spent for interphase whereas the mitosis and cytokinesis last only for an hour.

Cell Cycle of a Proliferating Human Cell

Interphase
The different phases of cell cycle are as follows (Figure 7.1).

Phase

Time Duration (in hrs)
G1 11
S 8
G2 4
M 1

Longest part of the cell cycle, but it is of extremely variable length. At first glance the nucleus appears to be resting but this is not the case at all. The chromosomes previously visible as thread like structure, have dispersed. Now they are actively involved in protein synthesis, at least for most of the interphase.

G1 Phase

The first gap phase – 2C amount of DNA in cells of G1. Cells become metabolically active and grows by producing proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and cell organelles including mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Many checkpoints control the cell cycle.

The check point are also called as the restriction point. First check point at the end of G1, determines a cells fate whether it will continue in the cell cycle and divide or enter a stage called G0 a quiescent stage, probably as specified cell or die. Cells are arrested in G1 due to:

  • Nutrient deprivation
  • Lack of growth factors or density dependant inhibition
  • Undergo metabolic changes and enter into G0 state.

Biochemicals inside cell activates the cell division. The proteins called kinases and cyclins activate genes and their proteins to perform cell division. Cyclins act as major checkpoint which operates in G1 to determine whether or not a cell divides.

G0 Phase

Some cells exit G1 and enters a quiescent stage called G0, where the cell remains metabolically active without proliferation. Cells can exist for long periods in G0 phase. In G0 cells cease growth with reduced rate of RNA and protein synthesis.

The G0 phase is not permanent. Mature neuron and skeletal muscle cell remain permanently in G0. Many
cells in animals remains in G0 unless called on to proliferate by appropriate growth factors or other extracellular signals. G0 cells are not dormant. S phase – Synthesis phase – cells with intermediate amounts of DNA.

Growth of the cell continues as replication of DNA occur, protein molecules called histones are synthesised and attach to the DNA. The centrioles duplicate in the cytoplasm. DNA content increases from 2C to 4C. G2 – The second Gap phase – 4C amount of DNA in cells of G2 and mitosis

Cell growth continues by protein and cell organelle synthesis, mitochondria and chloroplasts divide. DNA content remains as 4C. Tubulin is synthesised and microtubules are formed. Microtubles organise to form spindle fire. The spindle begins to form and nuclear division follows.

One of the proteins synthesized only in the G2 period is known as Maturation Promoting Factor (MPF). It brings about condensation of interphase chromosomes into the mitotic form. DNA damage checkpoints operates in G1S and G2 phases of the cell cycle.