The Cell Cycle

• G1- Gap 1
• S- where DNA synthesis occurs
• G1- Gap 2
• M- Mitosis
• Interphase- the resting period
• Prophase- Chromatin starts to condense, spindle fibers start to form.
• Prometaphase- The nucleus's membrane disappears
• Metaphase- Spindle fibers align the chromosomes along the cell's middle.
• Anaphase- the chromosomes separate at their middles. The microtubules pull them to opposite ends of the cell. 
• Telophase- The chromosomes and nucleotides disperse. The sister cells start forming.
• Cytokinesis- The cell splits in two. This is caused by a protein ring in animal cells and by the synthesis of a new cell wall in plant cells.

Mitosis is the process by which somatic cells reproduce. Binary fission is the process by which prokaryotes split.

In mitosis, somatic cells split, and the genetic material stays the same, ideally. Meiosis, however, is the process by which sex cells split; the genetic material goes through processes that change its sequence. These processes are:

• Crossing over: chromosomes pair up and swap nucleotides
• Independent assortment: formation random combinations of chromosomes and randomly placed genes on certain homologous chromosomes.
• Fertilization: There are many different sperm cells that can bond with an egg, and they each have differently sequenced genes.