Figure 1: An overview of the cell cycle. This figure has been adapted with permission from Cell and Molecular Biology Concepts and Experiments by Karp, 2010.

Interphase: During interphase the chromosomes are not visible with a light microscope when the cell is not undergoing mitosis. The genetic material (DNA) in the chromosomes is replicated during the period of interphase to carry out mitosis and is called S phase (S stands for synthesis of DNA). DNA replication is accompanied by chromosome duplication. Before and after S, there are two periods, called G1 and G2, respectively, in which DNA replication does not take place. The order of cell cycle events is G1 → S → G2 → M and then followed by cytokinesis. The G1 phase, S phase and G2 phase together form the interphase .