Which process follows mitosis in the cell cycle?

Cytokinesis is the process that follows mitosis in the cell cycle. It is the stage where the cytoplasm of a parent cell is divided into two daughter cells. During mitosis, the genetic material is separated into two nuclei, but the cell itself is not yet divided. Cytokinesis completes the overall process of cell division and ensures that each daughter cell contains its own nucleus and a share of the cytoplasmic components.

This division occurs through mechanisms that vary between plant and animal cells. In animal cells, a cleavage furrow forms, while in plant cells, a cell plate develops to separate the two new cells. Cytokinesis is crucial for the proper distribution of the cell's contents and for maintaining the health of the resulting daughter cells.

Interphase refers to the phase of the cell cycle where the cell prepares for division and includes stages such as G1, S (synthesis), and G2. While G1 is a part of interphase, it does not specifically follow mitosis. Meiosis, on the other hand, is a different type of cell division that occurs in gametes and does not follow mitosis. Thus, recognizing cytokinesis as the direct successor to mitosis helps clarify the distinctions between these critical processes in