| Stage | Major features |
|---|---|
| G0 phase | Stable, nondividing period of variable length. |
| Interphase | |
| G1 phase | Growth and development of the cell; G1/S checkpoint. |
| S phase | Synthesis of DNA. |
| G2 phase | Preparation for division; G2/M checkpoint. |
| M phase | |
| Prophase | Chromosomes condense and mitotic spindle forms. |
| Prometaphase | Nuclear envelope disintegrates, and spindle microtubules anchor to kinetochores. |
| Metaphase | Chromosomes align on the metaphase plate; spindle-assembly checkpoint. |
| Anaphase | Sister chromatids separate, becoming individual chromosomes that migrate toward spindle poles. |
| Telophase | Chromosomes arrive at spindle poles, the nuclear envelope re-forms, and the condensed chromosomes relax. |
| Cytokinesis | Cytoplasm divides; cell wall forms in plant cells. |