Cell Division Research Paper

Words: 915
Pages: 4

Every living thing is made up of cells, they are the building blocks of organisms. There are trillions of cells within the human body that provide structure as well as carry out different functions. Each cell is shaped accordingly, dependent on the job that it is required to do. Within the cell are tiny organelles that aid in everyday cellular processes. These processes are imperative in enabling organisms to operate on the most basic level. One of the most vital functions of a cell is cellular division. It is this process that ensures growth, development and repair of living organisms. The process of cell division is tightly regulated by numerous enzymes and proteins that ultimately control the timing of events within the cell cycle, ensuring …show more content…
Internal and external cues received throughout the cell cycle can either be positive and seek to increase activity of Cks and cyclins, or they can be negative, such is the case with DNA damage, that puts a halt on activity. There are several checkpoints where the progression of the cell cycle relies on those cues to determine whether to continue and these are evident prior to the mitotic phase, that is, Interphase. Interphase is the process where the cell replicates its entire contents and genetic information. This phase of the cell cycle is in preparation for mitosis and is where the cell spends most of its life. Preparation for division, as well as the checkpoints, is demonstrated in the following three stages; G phase, S phase and G2 phase. During G1, the cell increases in size and duplicates most its organelles and cytoplasm. The checkpoint is called the restriction point, where damage to the DNA is evaluated, and should the conditions prove adverse, the cycle is stopped until the DNA is repaired. In the case of favourable conditions however, the cell commits itself to the cell cycle. The S phase is the replication of DNA, ensuring that the two identical daughter cells formed later have the same genetic material. Finally, during G2, the cell continues its growth while synthesizing proteins and molecules in preparation for mitosis. Another checkpoint here ensures that the chromosomes have been replicated effectively and without DNA damage prior to mitosis. The cell then enters the mitotic phase, where the cell divides the replicated DNA and cytoplasm, directly followed by cytokinesis which results in division of the cell to form two identical daughter cells. This cell cycle then repeats itself until the cell inevitably