Question

Which of the following events occurs during interphase?

a) The DNA becomes tightly packaged into compact chromosomes.
b) Cytokinesis occurs.
c) The cell expands in size.
d) The sister chromatids separate from one another.

Answer 1

During interphase, the cell expands in size and undergoes DNA duplication, with other events like chromosome condensation, cytokinesis, and chromatid separation occurring in the subsequent mitotic phase.

Step-by-step explanation:

The event that occurs during interphase is that the cell expands in size. This expansion is a result of the cell's normal growth processes, which includes organelle duplication, protein synthesis, and accumulation of energy reserves. Within interphase, the S phase (Synthesis phase) is specifically associated with DNA duplication, which is a crucial step for the cell to prepare for division. However, the tight packaging of DNA into compact chromosomes, cytokinesis (the division of the cytoplasm), and the separation of sister chromatids are all events that occur during the subsequent mitotic phase, not during interphase.