The cell cycle is a regular pattern of growth, DNA replication and cell division, that takes places in cells. 

We break this pattern down into 4 main stages:

• Gap1 (G1) - cell growth and normal functions
• S Phase - DNA synthesis
• Gap 2 (G2) - additional growth
• Mitosis - this phase includes division of the cell nucleus (mitosis) and division of the cell cytoplasm (cytokinesis).