Interphase — Science definition
The long part of the cell cycle before division, when a cell grows, does its work, and copies its DNA.
Where it is taught
- Mitosis & the Cell Cycle — Cell Division, Reproduction & Development, Life Science: Biology, Grade 10
In use
Most of a cell's life is spent in interphase, the long 'everyday' stretch before division.
Mitosis & the Cell Cycle
Questions using interphase
Problem 1
Explain why a cell must copy its DNA during interphase before it divides by mitosis.
Answer and explanation
Copying the DNA first means there are two complete sets of chromosomes to distribute, so when the cell splits, each daughter cell receives a full, identical set rather than half of one.