Objective 3: TSWBAT describe the stages of the cell cycle, listing the sequence of events and activities of each stage.

The mitotic (M) phase of the cell cycle alternates with the much longer interphase. The M phase includes mitosis and cytokinesis. Interphase accounts for 90% of the cell cycle. The mitotic phase alternates with interphase in the cell cycle: an overview Copyright © 2002 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Fig. 12.4

During interphase the cell grows by producing proteins and cytoplasmic organelles, copies its chromosomes, and prepares for cell division. Interphase has three subphases: the G 1 phase (“first gap”) centered on growth, the S phase (“synthesis”) when the chromosomes are copied, the G 2 phase (“second gap”) where the cell completes preparations for cell division, and divides (M). The daughter cells may then repeat the cycle. Copyright © 2002 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings