The period between mitosis is called interphase.
Interphase is a crucial part of the cell cycle, encompassing the time when a cell isn't actively dividing. It's a period of growth, DNA replication, and essential cellular activities that prepare the cell for the subsequent mitotic phase. While mitosis and cytokinesis themselves only take about an hour, interphase occupies approximately 95% of the entire cell cycle. During interphase, chromosomes are decondensed, appearing as a uniform mass within the nucleus.
Here's a breakdown of interphase:
-
G1 Phase (Gap 1): This is a period of cell growth and general function. The cell synthesizes proteins and organelles and increases in size. The cell also monitors its environment and size to ensure it's suitable to divide.
-
S Phase (Synthesis): DNA replication occurs during this phase. Each chromosome is duplicated, resulting in two identical sister chromatids.
-
G2 Phase (Gap 2): The cell continues to grow and produce proteins necessary for mitosis. It also checks the replicated DNA for errors and makes any necessary repairs.
In summary, interphase is the metabolically active period between cell divisions where the cell grows, replicates its DNA, and prepares for mitosis.
