Final answer:
A cell that has just completed cytokinesis might enter the G0 phase instead of the G1 phase due to physiological inhibition, certain conditions for reproduction, or suspected DNA damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are several reasons why a cell that has just completed cytokinesis might enter the G0 phase instead of the G1 phase:
- Some cells are physiologically inhibited from undergoing any division and remain in the G0 phase to provide assistance to their neighboring cells. For example, mature cardiac muscle and nerve cells rarely divide and remain in G0 permanently.
- Some cells reproduce only under certain conditions and, until then, they remain in the G0 phase. These cells enter G0 temporarily until triggered by an external signal to enter the G1 phase.
- Suspected DNA damage can lead the cell to enter the G0 phase. If a cell detects DNA damage, it may pause in the G0 phase to repair the damage before entering the G1 phase.