There are various checkpoints throughout the cell cycle that regulate whether a cell will continue to divide. During the G1 phase there is a chemical checkpoint that determines whether a cell has the proper nutrients and growth factors to continue through the cell cycle, or whether it will enter the resting phase also known as the G0 phase. After DNA replication in the S (synthesis) phase, the cell enters the second growth phase, G2. In G2 there is the second checkpoint that will determine if the cell DNA replication was carried out successfully to further the division of the cell. If DNA replication is carried out properly, the cell will enter the M (mitotic) phase of the cell cycle. Here, the cell will go through a series of phases that ultimately result in the separation of chromosomes. The success of mitosis is assessed at another checkpoint during metaphase (a subdivision of the M phase). If everything is carried out properly, the cell will then undergo cytokinesis and resulting in two daughter cells.

Cytokinesis is the period of the cell cycle during which the cytoplasm of the parent cell is divided and the parent cell completes division, resulting in two daughter cells.

During the G1 phase the cell grows and also carries out normal cellular functions. In the synthesis (S) phase the DNA is replicated, resulting in two copies of each of the chromosomes. Upon entering the G2 phase the cell continue to grow and assess whether the DNA has been properly replicated to prepare for the mitosis (M) phase.

Mitosis, the next stage of the cell cycle, has four sequential stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Cytokinesis begins during telophase and extends into the beginning of G1.

Replication of the DNA occurs during the S phase of interphase.

Interphase is essentially the first and longest phase of the cell cycle characterized by three distinct phases: growth phase 1 (G1), synthesis (S) phase, and srowth phase 2 (G2). During the G1 phase the cell grows and also carries out normal cellular functions. In the synthesis (S) phase the DNA is replicated, resulting in two copies of each of the chromosomes. Upon entering the G2 phase the cell continue to grow and assess whether the DNA has been properly replicated to prepare for the mitosis (M) phase.

Mitosis, the next stage of the cell cycle, has four sequential stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. In prophase, each chromosome becomes condensed and more visible, and there is the breakdown of the nuclear membrane and appearance of spindle fibers. In the next phase, metaphase, the chromosomes line up along the metaphasic plate. The spindle fibers are completely formed and are attached to each sister chromatid of the chromosomes. Next, during anaphase, the centromeres holding the sister chromatids together are divided and the sister chromatids are pulled apart by the spindle fibers to opposite poles of the diving cell. During the last phase of mitosis, telophase, the two sets of chromosomes reach the opposite poles of the cell. This is followed by the reformation of the nuclear envelope, uncoiling of the DNA, and disappearance of the spindle fibers. After the M phase is the separation of the cytoplasm, known as cytokinesis, which results in two distinct daughter cells.

Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase are the steps in mitosis (M phase). M phase takes relatively less time than interphase, where the cell has to replicate all its DNA and organelles in order to be ready for mitosis or meiosis. Hence, cells spend most of their time in interphase, preparing for mitosis.

The G₂ phase or pre-mitotic phase is the phase of the cell cycle immediately after the S phase, where replication of a cell's contents takes place. During this phase, the cell performs a check for damaged or destroyed parts of the chromosome, and performs necessary repairs or causes the cell to self-destruct (apoptosis).

In addition to occurring at a blistering  nucleotides/second, the process of DNA replication must be precise: less than  failed replications can terminate the daughter cells.

DNA is synthesized in the S phase only. The G phases are stages of cellular growth while the M phase consists of mitotic cellular division.

The cell is being cleaved into two daughter cells, which occurs during cytokinesis. Sister chromatins separate during anaphase, the nuclear membrane reforms and DNA unwinds during telophase, so the cell has passed those stages leaving only cytokinesis before the daughter cells repeat the process over again. 

The "S" in S phase is short for synthesis, as in DNA synthesis. During this time, each of the organism's chromosomes is copied in order to prepare for cell division so that both daughter cells have the genetic information necessary to be able to function properly. This type of cell division occurs in both somatic, or body, cells and sex cells, but not in prokaryotic organisms.

Mitosis begins with prophase, where the chromatin in the cell condenses into chromosomes. Prophase is followed by metaphase, characterized by the lining up of chromosomes along the metaphase plate. Anaphase is the next stage that begins with the separation of paired chromosomes (sister chromatids). The last stage of mitosis is the telophase, where the chromosomes are cordoned off into new nuclei and return to chromatin form. An easy way to remember this order is to use the acronym PMAT.

Note: Cytokinesis is not technically a part of mitosis, but it is often included. It is an event that directly follows mitosis in which the cytoplasm is divided into two daughter cells.