The diagram shows the major stages of the cell cycle and the percentage of time spent in each phase. Which statement best describes why a cell spends the majority of its time in interphase?

Question

The cell needs time to synthesize spindle fibers to complete mitosis.
The cell is aging and processes are stopping as lysosomes clear dead cell matter away.
The cell needs time to complete cytokinesis.
The cell is growing and carrying out processes such as metabolism and DNA replication.

Answer 1

The statement that best describes why a cell spends the majority of its time in interphase is:

The cell is growing and carrying out processes such as metabolism and DNA replication.

During interphase, which consists of the G1, S, and G2 phases, the cell is primarily engaged in growth, synthesizing DNA for replication, and performing essential metabolic functions that are critical for cell survival and function. This phase is crucial for preparing the cell for mitosis and ensuring that it can successfully divide and maintain proper function.