Feedback mechanisms, the cell cycle and its regulation

Learning objectives

Distinguish negative feedback, which restores a set point, from positive feedback, which amplifies a change, and explain each with a named biological example

Describe the phases of the cell cycle — G₁, S, G₂ and mitosis followed by cytokinesis — and describe the events of prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase

Explain how checkpoints, cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases regulate progression through the cell cycle, and how loss of that regulation can lead to uncontrolled division

Interpret data on the proportion of cells in each phase to estimate the relative duration of the phases of the cell cycle

Explain how mitosis produces genetically identical daughter cells and why this matters for growth, repair and asexual reproduction