ABSTRACT
Definitions of the nomenclature of the cell cycle differ slightly from book to book. What is presented here is that which seems most logical.
The cell cycle of a eukaryotic cell (Figure 18.59) consists of five main phases: G0: period during which the cell undertakes routine metabolic activity; G1: cell growth and normal metabolic activity; S: DNA replication; G2: preparation for cell division; M: mitosis or meiosis. The first four phases together constitute interphase, i.e. the period between cell
division. G0 and G1 are sometimes combined together as an extended G1 phase that constitutes normal metabolic activity and preparation for cell division.
