series of stages a cell undergoes to grow and divide
The cell cycle, also known as the cell division cycle, is the series of stages that a cell goes through to grow and divide. It consists of four main phases: G1 (cell growth), S (DNA replication), G2 (preparation for mitosis), and M (mitosis, where the cell divides into two daughter cells). This process is crucial for tissue growth, repair, and maintenance, including the regeneration of hair follicles.