The cell cycle is the process by which a cell duplicates its contents and divides into two daughter cells. It consists of four main phases - G1 phase, S phase, G2 phase, and M phase. The M phase includes both mitosis and cytokinesis. Mitosis is further divided into prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase where the chromosomes are aligned and separated. Cytokinesis then divides the cell into two daughter cells each with identical genetic material.