Interphase
The interphase is the longest stage of the cell cycle, and is the period of time that elapses between two successive mitosis. Although the cell is not dividing, there is great metabolic activity, the cell grows and duplicates its genetic material, preparing for cell division. It consists of three phases
- G1 (Gap 1). After the cell has divided, the G1 phase is a stage of cell growth and duplication of organelles and cytoplasmic structures.
In the G1 phase, as in the rest of the interphase, transcription and translation (protein synthesis) take place. It is the most variable period of the cell cycle. DNA synthesis does not occur
In the G1 phase, the cell has intense biochemical activity, increases its size and duplicates its enzymes, ribosomes, mitochondria and other molecules and cytoplasmic structures. The organelles and membranous structures such as the Golgi apparatus, karyotheca, lysosomes, ... come from the endoplasmic reticulum. Others, such as mitochondria and plastids, will be created from other pre-existing ones.
During the G1 phase, some cells become blocked, stop dividing and enter the G0 phase, in which they undergo a series of transformations that lead to cell differentiation. The cell specializes and expresses the genes that allow it to develop its activity in a tissue. Cells that are in the G0 phase for their entire lives are in a state of rest or quiescence. In some cases, such as neurons and red blood cells, they are so specialized that they have lost their ability to divide cells.
There is a restriction point (R point) or point of no return, at the end of G1, in which the cell that has reached this point, has to follow the S, G2 and M phases.
- If the cell is of adequate size, has nutrients and reproduction is necessary, it will go into the S phase.
- If nutrients are lacking or contact inhibition occurs, the cell does not divide and will not enter the S phase.
Sometimes a cell escapes the normal controls of cell division and death. When that cell begins to proliferate, reproducing in an uncontrolled way, the pathology of cancer begins. This overgrowth can lead to the formation of a mass of cells called a tumor.
If a cancer cell can stay in G0 phase, without further dividing, it will have achieved a great triumph against cancer.
- S phase (S of DNA synthesis). After the cell has increased in size by G1, the cell has to continue preparing for cell division. In this phase, it duplicates its genetic material, so that each daughter cell has an identical copy of the cell's chromosomes (sister chromatids linked by a centromere). In addition to DNA replication, the synthesis of histone proteins and other chromosomal proteins also occurs, which bind to the newly formed DNA.
In the S phase, the two centrioles also double. The two centrioles separate and a child centriole grows perpendicular to it.
During the synthesis phase, the number of chromosomes does not increase. DNA replicates (duplicates) and each chromosome has two identical chromatids (sister chromatids) so that the chromosomes are double, but the number does not change.
- G2 (gap 2)It begins when DNA synthesis ends (S Phase) and ends when DNA condenses and chromosomes appear. The RNA necessary to synthesize the proteins involved in mitosis, such as mitotic spindle tubulin, is transcribed and translated.
In this phase, the cell finishes preparing for mitosis. It has twice as much DNA as G1, so it is ready to divide. If the cell has correctly replicated DNA and the cell size is adequate, the cell will go into M phase.
As cells that are in the G1 phase have half the DNA of those in the G2 phase, we can know what phase the cell is in, just by knowing the amount of DNA.
When the interphase is over, the M stage will begin, where the cells will divide and divide their genetic (mitosis) and cytoplasmic (cytokinesis) material between the two daughter cells. Then phase G1 would begin again.
During the G0, G1, S and G2 phases, the cell nucleus is called the interphase nucleus, but during the M phase the nucleus disintegrates, and the chromosomes become visible.
The number of divisions of a cell is limited, since it is necessary for the correct functioning of the organism. This is called apoptosis or programmed cell death. When it takes about 50 divisions, the cell enters the G0 phase, in a state of senescence. Later, programmed cell death or apoptosis will arrive.
The senescence and apoptosis are necessary for the body to function properly.