Describe the events taking place during interphase.
Interphase, though called the resting phase, is the time during which the cell is preparing for division by undergoing both cell growth and DNA replication. It is divided into three phases: G₁ phase, S phase, and G₂ phase.
During the G₁ phase, the cell is metabolically active and grows continuously. This phase corresponds to the interval between mitosis and initiation of DNA replication. The cell carries out normal metabolism, and most of the organelle duplication occurs during this phase.
The S phase marks the period during which DNA synthesis or replication takes place. During this time, the amount of DNA per cell doubles, but there is no increase in the chromosome number. In animal cells, the centriole duplicates in the cytoplasm during this phase. During the G₂ phase, proteins are synthesised in preparation for mitosis while cell growth continues.
Explanation
The answer is derived from the textbook definition of Interphase and its sub-stages (G₁, S, and G₂) as described in Chapter 10 (Cell Cycle and Cell Division). It covers the key events: metabolic activity and growth in G₁, DNA replication and centriole duplication in S phase, and protein synthesis in G₂, ensuring all points required for a 3-mark answer are included.