The life cycle of a eukaryotic cell consists of various phases, two of which can easily be identified. Firstly, during mitosis (M-phase), in which the cell divides into two identical daughter cells, chromosome condensation and spindle formation are microscopically visible. Secondly, in S-phase the DNA of a cell is replicated, a process that can be detected using biochemical techniques. In between the M- and S-phase two gap phases occur: the G₁-phase, the gap between mitosis and the start of DNA replication, and G₂-phase, the gap between completion of DNA replication and the onset of mitosis. From G₁-phase a cell can leave the cell cycle and enter G₀, a ‘quiescent’ phase. Regulation of the cell cycle predominantly occurs at three major control points, which govern the transition from G₀ to G₁, from G₁ to S and from G₂ to M-phase.

Cell cycle related antibodies

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