the cell cycle is the series of events that take place in a cell that causes it to divide into two daughter cells

it is essential to maintain a suitable number of cells
cell division refers to the process in which

eukaryotic cell cycle

mitosis produces two identical daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell (diploid)
meiosis produces two different daughter cells gametes, for sexual reproduction (haploid)

statephaseabbreviationdescription
restinggap 0the cell is not in the cell cycle and is not dividing
interphasegap 1ensures that everything is ready for DNA synthesis
interphasesynthesisDNA replication
interphasegap 2growth and preparation for mitosis
cell divisionmitosis or meiosiscell division happens

prokaryotic cell cycle

all prokaryotic cells replicate using binary fission

here are 2 types of prokaryotic cells, bacteria and archaea.

prokaryotic cells do not contain a nucleus or membrane bound organelles

the cell wall of most bacteria is made of peptidoglycan

they have one circular chromosome of DNA which floats in the cytoplasm, called the nucleoid, as well as small circular pieces of DNA called plasmids