What are the stages of the cell cycle?

The stages of the cell cycle are G1, S, G2, and M. G1, or Gap 1, is the phase where the cell grows and carries out normal metabolic processes. The S phase, or Synthesis phase, follows, during which DNA is replicated, ensuring that each daughter cell will have an identical set of chromosomes. Subsequently, the cell enters G2, or Gap 2, where it continues to grow and prepares for mitosis. Finally, the M phase, or Mitosis, is the stage where the cell divides into two daughter cells, each with a complete set of chromosomes.

This sequence is crucial for cell division and growth, and understanding the correct order of these phases is fundamental in cell biology. The other options do not accurately represent the full and correct sequence of the cell cycle stages, leading to confusion about the process of cell division.