Answer:
Interphase
Step-by-step explanation:
The portion of the cell cycle during which the chromosomes are invisible under the light microscope is the interphase.
Generally, there are 2 main phases of the cell cycle, namely;
1. The interphase
2. The m phase
The interphase is further subdivided into 3 phases:
- G1 phase: which is characterized by the growth and development of the cell and also the synthesis of DNA precursors.
- S phase: characterized by the synthesis of DNA and duplication of the centrosome.
- G2 phase: characterized by the synthesis of proteins and further growth/development of the cell
The m phase represents the active division phase, also known as mitosis.
Immediately the cell leaves the interphase for the m phase, the genetic materials in the cell condense, thicken, and become visible under the microscope as chromosomes. This phase of mitosis is known as the prophase and the chromosomes remain visible through the rest of the mitotic phase (metaphase, anaphase) until the last phase, which is the telophase/cytokinesis.
At telophase/cytokinesis, the chromosomes condense back and the daughter cells produced enters the interphase for a repetition of the cycle.