The division of a cell into daughter cells that receive identical copies of its genetic material. The cell cycle comprises the period between the formation of a cell as a progeny of division and its own subsequent division into two daughter cells. The cell cycle falls into two parts. A relatively long interphase represents the time during which the cell engages in synthetic activities and reproduces its components, even though there is no visible change. The relatively short period of mitosis provides an interlude during which the actual process of visible division into two daughter cells is accomplished.