Informative Article about the Cell Cycle by Aryan Doshi

 The Cell Cycle is a timeline that explains the growth and division of cells. It includes G1, G0, S Phase, G2, and M phase. A more broad division of the phases is Interphase, which is everything besides M-phase. This cycle takes about 24 hours in humans and occurs in many places. Skin cells, muscle cells, and hair cells all undergo this process. 

The first part of the Cycle is G1. G1 is when baby cells have just been created and can grow until they are adult cells. This process is the second longest and takes about 10 hours. When the cells have grown, they either move onto G0 or S-phase. 

Cells that are part of G0 may stay in this phase for the rest of their lives, while others may only be there for a short amount of time. G0 is when cells are functioning and are not injured. They do not want to divide and stay in this phase until they need to move one. Heart and nerve cells are examples of ones that never leave G0. 

The next phase is S-phase. Cells either come to this phase from G0 or directly from G1. This phase is also known as the Synthesis phase because this is where DNA is synthesized. This phase is to prepare cells for division and takes the longest time of the cell cycle. Every cell contains and needs DNA to function. Therefore, if a cell wants to divide to make a new cell, it requires double the amount of DNA. This phase uses enzymes and proteins to replicate a cell's DNA. DNA Synthesis is a very complicated and intricate process. Any mistake may lead to large-scale mutation. 

Following S-phase is G2. G2 is where the organelles of the cell double. The cytoplasm, ribosomes, membrane, and others are replicated to prepare for cell division. 

Lastly, the final step of the cell cycle is M-phase. M-phase is where the cell finally gets divided after preparation in the stages prior. It is either divided with the processes of meiosis if it is a gamete or mitosis if it is any other cell. After the cell divides, the two new cells created will repeat the cycle. 

The crucial aspect of the cell cycle is not the phases but the checkpoints. Before a cell can move on in the cell cycle, it must pass a checkpoint. These checkpoints are when enzymes and proteins look for any mutation or disease that poses threats. Without these checkpoints, dangerous cells such as cancer would be divided and conquer organisms. Individuals diagnosed with cancer tend to have problems with these checkpoints. The human body has an incredible amount of attributes to the point where mistakes are impossible to avoid.