2.

     What is a Cell Cycle and describe its  stages

A cell cycle is a sequence of events that occur in a cell as it develops and divides. A cell spends the
majority of its time in what is known as interphase, which is when it grows, duplicates its chromosomes,
and prepares for cell division. The cell then exits interphase, goes through mitosis, and divides
completely. The resultant daughter cells enter their own interphase and begin a new round of the cell
cycle.

Interphase

A cell doubles its cytoplasm and synthesizes DNA at this stage of the cell cycle. A dividing cell is thought
to spend 90-95 percent of its time in this phase.

 G1 phase: The time interval preceding DNA synthesis. In this phase, the cell's bulk and organelle
number rise in preparation for cell division. This phase of animal cells is diploid, which means
they have two sets of chromosomes.
 S phase: The time frame in which DNA is produced. In most cells, DNA replication happens only
within a certain time period. In this phase, the chromosomal content is doubled.
 G2 phase: The time between the completion of DNA synthesis and the onset of mitosis. The cell
continues to grow in size as it synthesizes more proteins.

Stages of Mitosis

The contents of the dividing cell are divided evenly across two daughter cells during mitosis and
cytokinesis. Mitosis is divided into four stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

 Prophase: Changes occur in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of the dividing cell at this stage.
Chromosomes are formed when chromatin condenses. The chromosomes start to move toward
the cell center. The nuclear membrane degrades, and spindle fibers develop at the cell's
opposing poles.
 Metaphase: At this point, the nuclear membrane has entirely vanished. At the metaphase plate,
the spindle completely develops and the chromosomes align.
 Anaphase: Pairs of chromosomes split and begin migrating to opposing ends of the cell at this
stage. The cell is lengthened and elongated by spindle fibers that are not linked to chromatids.
 Telophase: The chromosomes are partitioned off into independent new nuclei at this point, and
the cell's genetic material is split evenly into two halves. Cytokinesis begins before mitosis ends
and ends shortly after telophase.