Which of the following stages are part of the cell cycle?

The stages of the cell cycle are essential for understanding how cells grow and divide. The correct answer includes both interphase and mitosis, which are fundamental phases in the cell cycle.

Interphase is the phase where the cell spends the majority of its life, preparing for division. It consists of three sub-phases: G1 (growth), S (synthesis, where DNA is replicated), and G2 (further growth and preparation for mitosis). During this time, the cell undergoes critical processes like DNA replication, ensuring that each daughter cell will receive an accurate copy of the genome.

Mitosis is the process of cell division itself, where the replicated chromosomes are separated into two new nuclei, followed by cytokinesis, which divides the cytoplasm and organelles between the two daughter cells. This segregation of genetic material and cellular components is crucial for the maintenance of genetic integrity and an even distribution of cellular materials.

While other options include pallid phases such as preparatory phase or combinations that involve meiosis and cytokinesis, they do not accurately reflect the core stages recognized in the standard cell cycle. Meiosis, for example, is a separate process that leads to the formation of gametes, distinct from the processes in mitotic cell division.