Final answer:
The primary purpose of interphase in the cell cycle is to prepare the cell for mitosis through growth, DNA duplication, and protein synthesis. It consists of three phases: G1 (growth and preparation), S (DNA synthesis), and G2 (final preparations for mitosis).
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary purpose of interphase is to prepare the cell for division by undergoing normal growth processes and duplicating DNA. This stage allows the cell to increase in size, duplicate its DNA, and synthesize the necessary proteins and organelles for cell division. Interphase can be further broken down into three distinct phases: the G1 phase, the S phase, and the G2 phase.
Phases of Interphase
S Phase (Synthesis of DNA): This phase sees the replication of DNA, ensuring that each new cell will have an identical set of genetic material as the parent cell.
G2 Phase (Second Growth): Here, the cell synthesizes proteins and continues to grow, preparing for mitosis.
These stages are critical for a cell to meet the necessary internal and external conditions to successfully transition from interphase to the mitotic phase, where actual cell division occurs.