Some specialized cells such as neurons and red blood cells lose their ability to divide a maturity. Which phase of the cell cycle do you suspect is terminal for these cells?
I’m going to assume that you don’t know the answer to the question, but do know about the cell cyce in general. I apologize if that is not the case… There are five main cell cycle phases G1, S, G2, M, and G0. We’ll start with G1… In G1 the cell is just growing, and doing all the normal cell things. After being checked a few times, etc, etc, it enters S phase, where the DNA is replicated. After that, and a few more checkpoints, it moves to G2 phase, where it keeps growing and doing all the cell processes normally. Finally, there is another checkpoint and then the cell jumps into M phase, or mitosis – prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase and finally cytokinesis – the cell splits! Making two new ones both starting at G1. G0 is a special phase for specialized cells, as you are talking about. Cells enter G0 after prompting from hormones and environmental factors, and before entering the S phase. Think of it as an alternate route for the cell to follow other than the cell cycle circl
