A diploid cell with an initial DNA content of 2C undergoes a complete cell cycle. The DNA content is observed at four sequential stages designated as A, B, C, and D. - In stage A, the DNA content is 2C. - In stage B, the amount of DNA per cell doubles to 4C. - In stage C, the DNA content remains at 4C. - In stage D, the cell divides and the DNA content per daughter cell becomes 2C. Identify the phases A, B, C, and D

Step-by-step solution

During the cell cycle, a cell starts in the G ₁ phase (Stage A) with a normal diploid DNA content, denoted as 2C. In the S phase (Stage B), DNA replication occurs, causing the amount of DNA per cell to double from 2C to 4C. During the G ₂ phase (Stage C), the cell prepares for division and the DNA content remains at 4C. Finally, during the M phase (Stage D), the cell undergoes division, distributing the replicated DNA equally to the daughter cells, restoring the DNA content to 2C per cell. Thus, the correct sequenc