The cell cycle is the meticulous series of events that parent cells go through as they grow and divide their cellular material between two new daughter cells. It is made up of four vital phases, G1, Phase S, G2 and Phase M, which ensure that the process is completed smoothly. G1, S Phase, and G2 collectively comprise Interphase, the longest phase of the cycle, in which the cell increases in size, replicates its DNA by duplicating chromosomes, and prepares for division in the M Phase. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay After completion of Interphase, the mother cell proceeds to Phase M, Mitotic Phase, the period consisting of Mitosis and Cytokinesis in which the cell actually divides. Mitosis, division of the nucleus, can be further divided into prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Starting from prophase, the preparation phase, the nuclear membrane of the cell disappears and the duplicated chromosomes, two sister chromatids made up of DNA and proteins, condense. In animal cells, the centrioles, which are located in the centrosome, separate to opposite poles. During this phase, the spindles, the microtubules that will separate the chromatids, begin to form. Subsequently, the cell organizes into Metaphase, where its chromosomes align in the center to form the Metaphase Plate. Additionally, the spindle fibers attach to the centromere of the chromosome, the central part of the chromosome, where each pair of sister chromatids attaches. After metaphase, the mother cell, which is now shaped like an oval, begins to separate. The spindles shorten and pull the sister chromatids towards opposite poles, splitting the chromosomes in half. The cell then moves into Telophase where its interior divides and two new nuclear membranes are formed. The cell also begins to pinch in the center forming a cleavage furrow. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Finally, at the end of mitosis, the mother cell undergoes cytokinesis, or division of the cytoplasm. This process varies for plant cells which form a cell plate, which divides the two nuclei and eventually becomes the cell wall. Both animal and plant cells, however, have the same end result: two daughter cells that repeat the cycle once again