1,2,) A cell cycle refers to the life of a cell, it is referred to as a cycle because it ends with the reproduction of a new

cell. A cell cycle contains, G1 (growth phase) S (synthesis of DNA) G2 (second growth phase) and M (mitosis and cytosis) G1 is the growth phase, the cell primarily carries out regular functions and grows towards functional maturity. S phase: is the synthesis phase. In this period, the cell replicates its DNA G2 : the cell further develops and produces ingredients required for cellular reproduction. M : This is the actual reproduction phase, first the nucleus of the cell is replicated and then the cell is divided into two **Go : cells can enter the Go phase after they have reached functional maturity, either permanently or for a certain period of time. This is controlled by external signals. In humans, our muscle cells are always in G0 phase, they never reproduce and it they are damaged don't replace themselves. If a regular cell contains 12 chromosomes, thus 12 DNA molecules at the beginning of G1, after synthesis at G2, the cell still contains 12 chromosomes but now, 24 DNA molecules A diploid is 2N, since its ploidy is 2 The length of cell cycles vary between cells, mainly due to the length of their G1 phase, as it can be longer in some than others. The shortest phase is Mitosis, as it is just the cell dividing.