Question

During which phase of interphase does the cell spend most of its time?

A) G1 phase
B) S phase
C) G2 phase
D) M phase

Answer 1

The cell spends most of its time in the G1 phase of interphase, where it grows and performs normal functions in preparation for the S and G2 phases, which are for DNA replication and preparation for mitosis respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

During which phase of interphase does the cell spend most of its time? The correct answer is A) G1 phase. The interphase is composed of three subphases: G1 (Gap 1), S (Synthesis), and G2 (Gap 2). The G1 phase is notable for being the period where the cell spends the majority of its time. During the G1 phase, cells grow and perform their normal functions, as well as prepare for DNA replication. Though the S phase and the G2 phase are important for DNA synthesis and preparation for mitosis, respectively, these phases generally have a shorter duration compared to G1. The S phase usually lasts between 8-10 hours, the G2 phase about 5 hours, and the G1 phase can vary greatly, from a few hours to many days depending on the cell type and conditions.