Question

Mitosis is the longest phase in the cell cycle because it is four stages. If false, which phase is the longest and why.

a. true
b. false

Answer 1

The statement is false; interphase is the longest phase of the cell cycle, not mitosis. Interphase is responsible for cell growth, DNA duplication, and preparation for cell division, taking up to 90% of the cell cycle's duration. The correct option is b.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that mitosis is the longest phase in the cell cycle because it comprises four stages is false. The longest phase of the cell cycle is actually interphase, during which the cell grows, performs its regular functions, duplicates its DNA, and prepares for division. Interphase can take up to 90% of the total duration of the cell cycle.

Although mitosis itself includes several stages such as prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, these stages are relatively short when compared to the entirety of interphase.

To further clarify, during prophase, which is the first and longest phase of mitosis, chromatin condenses into chromosomes, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the spindle apparatus begins to form. Option b. is the correct one.