The life cycle of an animal cell consists of two phases called interphase and mitosis.
The interphase is characterized by the moment in which the cell is in intense methadological activity. At this point, it is possible to see that the cell has increased in size and has become wider and more robust. This phase is divided into three sub-phases called G1, S and G2.
In subphase G1, it is possible to observe that the cell is causing the synthesis of RNA and proteins on a large scale,
In subphase S, it is possible to observe that DNA division is taking place.
In the G2 subphase, it is possible to visualize that the cell is forming microtubules of the mitotic spindle. In addition, RNA and proteins are produced, but in lesser quantities.
After interphase, mitosis begins, which is the period of cell division, where two daughter cells identical to the mother cell are generated. Mitosis has the following phases: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.
In the prophase, it is possible to notice that the chromosomes were duplicated and formed pairs of chromosomes (the sister chromatids). In this phase it is also possible to see the condensation of the promatin, the formation of the mitotic spindle and the disappearance of the nucleolos.
In the first phase, it is possible to visualize that the chromosomes have become condensed and are connected by the poles and not by the middle anymore. At this stage, the nuclear membrane also disappears.
In the metaphase, it is possible to visualize that the chromosomes move to position themselves in the cell equatorial plane (sister chromatids are still formed).
In anaphase, it is possible to visualize the separation of the sister chromatids, generating child chromosomes, which are separated and moved to opposite ends in the cell. At that point, the cell takes on an elongated shape. Child chromosomes form pairs and look the same as normal chromosomes.
In telophase, it is possible to visualize the formation of new nuclei at each end of the cell. The spindle microtubules are destroyed, the comosomes are decondensed and the cell is ready to be divided.