Synthesis phase

Definition
noun
(cell biology) A sub-phase in the interphase wherein the cell primarily duplicates its DNA via semiconservative replication
Supplement
In eukaryotes, the cell cycle is a cyclical series of biological events that certain asexual cells go through. The cell cycle is comprised of these fundamental events: (1) resting phase (Gap 0), (2) interphase (Gap 1, S phase, Gap 2), and (3) cell division (i.e. mitotic phase and cytokinesis). The interphase is the period prior to cell division. Thus, it would entail two major events, particularly cell growth and DNA replication. The interphase is comprised of three stages: Gap 1 (G₁), Synthesis phase (S phase), and Gap 2 (G₂). The initial stage is the G₁ phase wherein the cell grows in size and prepares itself for the next stage, which is the S phase, by producing mRNA and histones. When the cell enters the S phase, the cell is prompted to undergo DNA replication. The main purpose of S phase is to produce two identical semi-conserved chromosomes. DNA replication is the process of copying and duplicating a DNA molecule in a semiconservative way, i.e. the copy contains one of the original strands paired with a newly synthesized strand that is complementary in terms of AT and GC base pairing.
Abbreviation / Acronym: S (phase)
See also:

• cell cycle
• interphase
• mitosis
• DNA replication