Phases of the Cell Cycle

 There are two primary phases in the cell cycle:

1. Interphase: This phase was thought to represent the resting stage between subsequent cell divisions, but new research has shown that it is a very active phase.
2. M Phase (Mitosis phase): This is where the actual cell division occurs. There are two key steps in this phase, namely cytokinesis and karyokinesis.

The interphase further comprises three phases:

1. G0 Phase (Resting Phase): The cell neither divides nor prepares itself for the division.
2. G1 Phase (Gap 1): The cell is metabolically active and grows continuously during this phase.
3. S phase (Synthesis): The DNA replication or synthesis occurs during this stage.
4. G2 phase (Gap 2): Protein synthesis happens in this phase.
5. Quiescent Stage (G0): The cells that do not undergo further division exits the G1 phase and enters an inactive stage. This stage is known as the quiescent stage (G0) of the cell cycle.

There are four stages in the M Phase, namely:

1. Prophase
2. Metaphase
3. Anaphase
4. Telophase