STAGES OF THE CELL CYCLE Interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis. Warm-up Questions: In what phase does the cell spend most of its life? What is the name of the process in which a cell duplicates it DNA and splits into two identical cells?

INTERPHASE  Cells spend most of their time in interphase, it is considered the “normal” stage for a cell. There are three stages of interphase, with each phase ending when a cellular checkpoint checks the accuracy of the stage's completion before proceeding to the next. Three stages of interphase: G1 Sythesis G2 The parent cell contains 46 chromosomes to be reproduced. All stages other than interphase happen during the M phase/mitotic phase.

PROPHASE  Prophase is the first “real” phase of mitosis. During prophase, the complex of DNA and proteins contained in the nucleus, known as chromatin, condenses. Mitotic spindles are formed.

METAPHASE  Metaphase is the second stage of mitosis. During metaphase, the cell's chromosomes align themselves in the middle of the cell. Spindles move to opposite poles and fibers connect them to the chromosomes. Chromosomes are their most condensed.

ANAPHASE  Anaphase is the stage of the cell cycle when chromosomes are split and the sister chromatids move to opposite poles of the cell. Anaphase is the third stage of mitosis.

TELOPHASE  Telophase is the fourth stage of mitosis. During this phase, the sister chromatids reach opposite poles. The small nuclear vesicles (envelope) in the cell begin to re- form around the group of chromosomes at each end. Technically the final stage of mitosis. Mitosis video

CYTOKINESIS  Cytokinesis is the final stage in the cell cycle. Cytokinesis is the physical process of cell division, which divides the cytoplasm of a parental cell into two daughter cells. Two daughter cells are produced, both containing 46 chromosomes identical to the parent cell.

ACTIVITY  FLASH CARDS!!!! Use supplied note cards to create flash cards for the stages of the cell cycle. Each card must contain a drawing of the stage, the order it comes in, and a basic description of what is happening in the stage including G phases and M phase. THIS IS FOR A GRADE