What are the main stages of the cell cycle?

The main stages of the cell cycle include Interphase and the Mitotic phase. During Interphase, the cell prepares for division by undergoing growth and replication of its DNA. This phase can be further divided into three sub-stages: G1 (Gap 1) where the cell grows and synthesizes proteins, S (Synthesis) where the DNA is replicated, and G2 (Gap 2) where the cell continues to grow and produces the necessary components for mitosis.

The Mitotic phase follows Interphase and involves the actual process of cell division, which includes mitosis (the division of the nucleus) and cytokinesis (the division of the cytoplasm), leading to the formation of two daughter cells. This division is crucial for growth, development, and tissue repair.

The other options do not adequately represent the comprehensive structure of the cell cycle. For example, listing just the stages of mitosis ignores the significant preparatory phases in Interphase, and including apoptosis is not relevant to the cell cycle stages themselves, as it refers to programmed cell death rather than the cellular processes associated with division.