Cell cycle phases
MCAT glossary · MCAT
Definition
G1 (growth), S (DNA synthesis), G2 (growth/check), M (mitosis); G0 is exit phase.
Cell cycle phases in plain English
A cell doesn't just split in one instant — it goes through an ordered life cycle of stages. In G1 the cell grows and does its normal job; in S it makes a full copy of its DNA ("synthesis"); in G2 it grows a bit more and checks its work; and in M (mitosis) it actually divides into two cells. Some cells step off this ride into G0, a resting phase where they just live and function without dividing (like nerve cells). Think of it as a factory that first builds up (G1), photocopies the master blueprint (S), inspects (G2), then physically separates into two factories (M).
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