Which statement correctly defines interphase?

Which statement correctly defines interphase?

• A. Interphase is the period of the cell cycle between successive divisions.
• B. Interphase is the final stage of mitosis.
• C. Interphase refers to cell death.
• D. Interphase is the period after cell division when the cell grows.

Answer: (D)

Interphase is the period after a cell has divided and before it divides again. The statement that it is the period after cell division when the cell grows captures a key aspect of this phase: the cell increases in size and carries out important preparations for the next division. During interphase, the cell also copies its DNA (S phase) and gets ready for mitosis (G2), but the growth after division is a defining, observable feature that helps distinguish this phase from mitosis itself. It’s separate from the stages of mitosis and from cell death.

Interphase is the period after a cell has divided and before it divides again. The statement that it is the period after cell division when the cell grows captures a key aspect of this phase: the cell increases in size and carries out important preparations for the next division. During interphase, the cell also copies its DNA (S phase) and gets ready for mitosis (G2), but the growth after division is a defining, observable feature that helps distinguish this phase from mitosis itself. It’s separate from the stages of mitosis and from cell death.