Which of the following describes the series of events that leads to cell division and duplication?

The cell cycle is a comprehensive term that encompasses the entire series of events a cell goes through leading to its division and duplication. It includes several distinct phases: interphase (where the cell grows and DNA replicates) and the mitotic phase (where the cell divides). During interphase, the cell prepares for division by undergoing growth and replicating its genetic material, followed by the actual process of mitosis and cytokinesis, which produce two daughter cells.

This sequence highlights how the cell cycle is crucial for ensuring that genetic material is accurately copied and divided, thereby allowing for cell growth and development in multicellular organisms. In contrast, while options like cell growth, cell differentiation, and mitosis refer to specific aspects of cellular activities, they do not encompass the entire process leading to cell division in the way that the cell cycle does.