Question

The diagram below represents the time a cell spends in the two main phases of the cell cycle in which phase does a cell spend less time

Answer 1

In the cell cycle, the M phase is the shortest and hence the phase where cells spend the least time, lasting approximately 0.5 hours, while other phases such as G1, S, and G2 are longer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cell Cycle Phases and Duration

The cell cycle is divided into two main phases: interphase and the mitotic phase (M phase). Interphase itself includes three stages: G1 phase, Synthesis phase (S), and G2 phase. According to the typical time frame for rapidly dividing mammalian cells, the shortest of these subphases is the M phase, lasting approximately 0.5 hours, where mitosis and cytokinesis occur. In contrast, the G1 phase lasts about 9 hours, the S phase around 10 hours, and the G2 phase takes about 4.5 hours. The G1 phase can vary significantly in duration, while G2 is consistently around 5 hours, and S phase consistently between 8-10 hours. Given these durations, it is evident that the M phase is the stage where cells spend the least time.

Answer 2

Mitosis, during which the cell makes preparations for and completes cell division only takes about 2 hours.