G0 Phase: Quiescent but Active Cells — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2023Some cells in the adult animals do not appear to exhibit division (e.g., heart cells) and many other cells divide only occasionally, as needed to replace cells that have been lost because of injury or cell death. These cells that do not divide further exit G1 phase to enter an inactive stage called quiescent stage (G0) of the cell cycle. Cells in this stage remain metabolically active but no longer proliferate unless called on to do so depending on the requirement of the organism.
G0 is a quiescent (resting) stage where cells exit G1 but remain metabolically active and do not divide unless required. NTA commonly tricks students into thinking G0 cells are dead or completely inactive—they're not. These cells (like heart muscle cells) still perform their normal functions and maintain metabolism; they simply don't proliferate. The key distinction: metabolically active ≠ dividing. Remember: G0 cells can re-enter G1 if the organism needs them, making them reversibly non-dividing rather than permanently dormant. This concept is frequently tested because it clarifies the difference between cell activity and cell division.
This paragraph was tested 4 times in NEET.
Given below are two statements: Statement I: During G0 phase of cell cycle, the cell is metabolically inactive. Statement II: The centrosome undergoes duplication during S phase of interphase.Choose the correct answer:
Which one of the following is the quiescent stage of the cell cycle?[NEET 2023 ]
Some dividing cells exit the cell cycle and enter a vegetative inactive stage. This is called quiescent stage (G₀). This process occurs at the end of:
Cells in G₀ phase:
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