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Summary questions 1 a What is the cell cycle? [1 mark] b Explain how and why you would expect the length of the cell cycle to vary: I between an early embryo in the first days after fertilisation and a 5-year-old child [4 marks] ii between a 13-year-old student and a 70-year-old adult. [5 marks]

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Summary questions
1 a What is the cell cycle?
[1 mark]
b Explain how and why you would expect the length
of the cell cycle to vary:
I between an early embryo in the first days after
fertilisation and a 5-year-old child
[4 marks]
ii between a 13-year-old student and a 70-year-old
adult.
[5 marks]

Summary questions 1 a What is the cell cycle? [1 mark] b Explain how and why you would expect the length of the cell cycle to vary: I between an early embryo in the first days after fertilisation and a 5-year-old child [4 marks] ii between a 13-year-old student and a 70-year-old adult. [5 marks]

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PerynMaster · Tutor for 5 years

Answer

The cell cycle is a series of specific events that cells go through which includes growth, DNA replication, and division to form new daughter cells.<br /><br />Answer 1b:<br />i. Between an early embryo in the first few days after fertilization and a 5-year-old child: <br />【Explanation】: The length of the cell cycle would vary greatly in this scenario. In the early embryo, cells are in a rapid division stage as they need to transform from a single cell to a complex organism in a comparatively short span of time. Therefore, the cell cycle is shorter due to the urgency of growth and development. So, embryonic cells divide much more quickly than a 5-year-old child's cells. By contrast, in a 5-year-old child, while there's still growth and development taking place, the rate of cellular division has slowed down significantly in comparison to the rapid embryonic stages, hence a longer cell cycle period is observed. This allows for differentiation and maturation of cells to carry out specified functions apart from just reproduction. 【Answer】: The cell cycle in an early embryo is relatively faster as compared to that in a 5-year-old child.<br /><br />ii. Between a 13-year-old student and a 70-year-old adult: <br />【Explanation】: The length of the cell cycle would also vary between a 13-year old student and a 70-year old adult. In a 13-year old student, cells are in active growth and division phase as they are undergoing rapid adolescence-related growth, hence the cell cycle interval is relatively shorter. Besides, cell repair and renewal processes are also efficient. In a 70-year-old adult, given the ageing process, the cell cycle is relatively longer. Also, cells in a 70-year old are not as energetic in cell division because much of growth has stopped, although cell replacement is ongoing. This sluggishness is usually paired with decreased efficiencies in DNA repair mechanisms, which might slow down the cell cycle. Also, the potential for cell division essentially decreases due to factors like age-related genomic instability as well. 【Answer】: The cell cycle in a 70-year-old adult is longer as compared to that of a 13-year-old student.

Explain

The cell cycle is an ordered series of events involving cell growth and cell division that produces two new daughter cells. Cells on the path to cell division proceed through a series of precisely timed and carefully regulated stages of growth, DNA replication, and division that ultimately produces identical cells. The stages, including interphase (made up of the G1 phase, S phase, and G2 phase), mitosis, and cytokinesis, constitute what scientists call a cell cycle.
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