AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Interphase is the longest part of the cell cycle. This is when the cell grows and copies its DNA before moving into mitosis. During mitosis, chromosomes will align, separate, and move into new daughter cells. The prefix inter-means between, so interphase takes place between one mitotic (M) phase and the next.

Detailed explanation-2: -A cell spends most of its time in what is called interphase, and during this time it grows, replicates its chromosomes, and prepares for cell division. The cell then leaves interphase, undergoes mitosis, and completes its division.

Detailed explanation-3: -However, mitosis and cytokinesis last only about an hour, so approximately 95% of the cell cycle is spent in interphase-the period between mitoses. During interphase, the chromosomes are decondensed and distributed throughout the nucleus, so the nucleus appears morphologically uniform.

Detailed explanation-4: -During interphase, the cell undergoes normal growth processes while also preparing for cell division. It is the longest phase of the cell cycle, cell spends approximately 90% of its time in this phase. In order for a cell to move from interphase into the mitotic phase, many internal and external conditions must be met.

Detailed explanation-5: -In sum, then, interphase generally takes between 18 and 20 hours. Mitosis, during which the cell makes preparations for and completes cell division only takes about 2 hours.