Describe the 3 overall stages of the cell cycle and the processes ongoing during the cell's life.

The cell cycle is composed of 3 main stages:

1) Interphase

During the interphase stage of the cell cycle, the cell grows and organelles such as mitochondria and ribosomes double. The DNA also multiplies to form two copies of itself, it is then checked for errors, and further growth occurs.

2) Mitosis

During mitosis, the nucleus membrane degenerates. The two sets of chromosomes line up at the equatorial plate and one set of chromosomes goes to opposite poles of the cell and the nucleus reforms around each set of chromosomes.

3) Cytokinesis

During cytokinesis, the cell membrane divides and two new daughter cells are formed.