Stages of the cell cycle

• 1. In a cell that's not dividing, the DNA is all spread out in long strings.
• 2. Before it divides, the cell has to grow and increase the amount of subcellular structures such as mitochondria and ribosomes.
• 3. It then duplicates its DNA - so there's one copy of each new cell. The DNA copied and forms X-shaped chromosomes. Each 'arm' of the chromosome replicates the other.
• Once the contents and DNA have been copied, the cell is ready from mitosis.
• 4. The chromosomes line up at the centre of the cell and cell fibres pull them apart. The two arms of each chromsome go to opposite ends of the cell.
• 5. Membranes form around each of the sets of chromosomes. These become the nuclei of the two new cells - the nucleus has divided.
• 6. Lastly, the cytoplasm and cell membrane divide.
• The cell has now produces two new daughter cells. The daughter cells contain the same DNA - they're identical. Their DNA is also identical to the parent cell.