Outline the major stages of cell cycle.

The cell cycle is comprised of two distinct phases; Interphase and Mitosis. The cell is typically in interphase of 95% of its life and mitosis/division for the remaining 5%.During interphase the cell's nuclear information is replicated, during the S phase, organelles are growing during G1 phase and being replicated in preparation for cell division in the G2 phase. Mitosis can be further subdivided into four major phases: Prophase, where the mitotic spindle begins to lengthen and the chromatin begins to condense and become visible under a light microscope. Metaphase, where the mitotic spindle associates (attaches to) with the centromeres at the middle of each chromosome. Anaphase, where the chromosomes are separated into their respective sister chromatids at the centromere as the spindle shortens and pulls them towards opposite poles of the cells (perpendicular to the centrioles). Telophase/Cytokinesis where the nuclear envelope reforms around each respective sister chromatids and the cell begins to form a cleavage furrow as the sister nuclei move in opposite directions. Once the cell membrane forms between the sister nuclei, cytokinesis is complete and the cycle can start again with each respective daughter cell.