Question

A cell cycle includes:

• A. interphase and $M$ phase
• B. prophase, metaphase, anaphase
• C. $G_{1}, S$ and $G_{2}$ phases
• D. karyokinesis and cytokinesis

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

interphase and $M$ phase

Answer 2

The cell cycle in a living cell comprises several stages and substages. Option A is the correct choice because interphase and M phase encompass the stages necessary to complete a cell cycle, each containing additional substages within them.

The other options provided are inaccurate in describing a complete cell cycle because they primarily represent substages:

B. Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase: These stages pertain to mitosis, which is only a component of the M phase within the cell cycle.
C. G1, S, and G2 phases: These phases are specific sub-phases of interphase, but they do not encompass the entirety of the cell cycle.
D. Karyokinesis and cytokinesis: Karyokinesis refers to nucleus division (mitosis), and cytokinesis refers to cytoplasm division. While these processes are part of the M phase, they do not constitute the entire cell cycle.

So, the correct option is (A): interphase and $M$ phase.