Sequence of stages that a cell passes through between one division and the next. The cell cycle oscillates between mitosis and the interphase, which is divided into G, S, and G₂. In the G phase there is a high rate of biosynthesis and growth; in the S phase there is the doubling of the DNA content as a consequence of chromosome replication; in the G₂ phase the final preparations for cell division (cytokinesis) are made.