Cell cycle

A cell cycle is the timespan from the time where a eukaryotic cell divides itself into two cells until the new cells are ready to divide again. It includes the preparation that have to take place inside of the cell before it can divide itself. Between different species and cell types the duration can vary greatly.

Phases

Interphase

The cell grows during the interphase in order to get big enough to divide again. It is also during this time that the cell has to synthesize proteins and do its job in the organism.

$G_{1}$-Phase

At the end of the $G_{1}$-Phase the cell controls whether it's DNA is damaged and whether the vicinity of the cell is favorable for cell proliferation. If those conditions are met the cell enter the S-Phase.

S-Phase

During the S-Phase each chromosome of the DNA gets duplicated.

M-Phase

During the M-Phase the cell first splits the nucleus in the mitosis. Afterwards the cytoplasm divides in the cytokinesis. The M-Phase takes normally around one hour.