Checkpoints are what monitor and control the process of the cell cycle and lower incidence of problems with cell growth and replication. The major three checkpoints in the cell cycle are the checkpoint before the S phase at the end of G1 phase to check for DNA damage. The second checkpoint is in the G2 phase before the M phase. The third major checkpoint in the cell cycle in at the end of M phase before anaphase occurs. Checkpoints are the points of control in the cell cycle regulation that are regulated by cyclin dependent kinases and cyclin levels; each checkpoint has its unique cyclins.

Cancer cells are not controlled by cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases, which regulate the cell cycle. They would not proceed through interphase if the system of checkpoints was still in place. The system of chemical signaling is mostly destroyed, preventing the cancer cells from being controlled by surrounding normal cells. Cancer cells, like virtually all body cells, utilize glucose for energy.

G1 (gap 1 phase) is the first stage of the cell cycle. Growth and some preparation for cell division occurs in this stage. If the cell is not preparing to divide then it enters the G0 stage (gap 0 phase): the resting gap stage where neither growth nor division occurs. The S stage (DNA Synthesis phase) comes next and there chromosome duplication occurs. G2 (gap phase 2) is after the S stage and there cell growth continues and everything is checked to make sure the cell can divide. Finally, M stage (mitotic stage) is last and there mitosis occurs and two new daughter cells begin the cell cycle again. Keep in mind that at the end of each stage there are "checkpoints" that the cell needs to pass in order to keep going forward. Cancer occurs when a cell bypasses those checkpoints and continues to replicate without those controls.

It is important to note that chromosome duplication happens before mitosis, so interphase is correct. More specifically, it happens in the S stage of interphase.

The "S" phase, known as the synthesis phase, is the portion of the cell cycle where DNA is replicated. The other stages listed do not contain DNA replication. G0 is a cell cycle arrest phase, where a cell remains dormant, awaiting signals to re-enter the cell cycle.

Caspases are proteases that initiate apoptosis. Procaspases are inactive caspases that are stored in the cell. Necrosis is when the cell body dies due to cell injury. Apoptosis is programmed cell death. The cell uses it to control the rate of cell division. Anaphase is a phase in the cell cycle in which the chromosomes are pulled to opposite poles of the cell.

Metaphase is defined when chromosomes move towards the equator of the cell.

Other answers refer to other stages of mitosis. Sister chormatids separate during anaphase, two distinct cells form during telophase, centrioles move towards opposite poles of the cell during prophase, and DNA replication happens during interphase.

During anaphase, the third stage of mitosis, the spindle fibers cause sister chromatids to break apart, and they are subsequently moved to opposite sides of the cell.

Chromosomes condense during prophase, align during metaphase, separate during anaphase, and are relocated during telophase.

Chromatids condense during prophase, the first stage of mitosis. This allows the abundant amount of DNA to be organized into relatively small and tightly packed structures that can be aligned and separated later in mitosis. This also signifies the conversion of the DNA from loosely packed euchromatin to tightly packed heterochromatin.

Chromosomes condense during prophase, align during metaphase, separate during anaphase, and are relocated during telophase.

Cytokinesis, the process of the cytosol splitting into two daughter cells, occurs during telophase, the last phase of mitosis. Chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate during metaphase, while the nuclear membranes disappear and the nucleolus dissolve during prophase.