AS OCR Biology Unit 1 Module 1 Cell Division *(shortened cell cycle steps)*

The Cell Cycle

The cell cycle describes the events that take place as one parent cell divides to produce two new daughter cells which then each grow to full size.
For some organisms, the cell cycle is the life cycle, and each daughter is a new single- celled organism.

The cell cycle is divided into stages:
Interphase - DNA replicates in this stage
Mitosis - The nucleus divides and chromatids separate
Cytokinesis - The cytoplasm divides or cleaves
Growth Phase - Each new cell grows to full size

Making new cells is important because:
1) Asexual Reproduction - Single- celled organisms divide to produce two daughter cells that are separate organisms. Some multicellular organisms produce offspring from part of the parent.
2) Growth - Multicellular organisms grow by producing new extra cells. Each new cell is genetically identical to the parent cells and so can perform the same functions.
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