Interphase

Interphase: Growth Phase

This is the period where the cell grows and prepares for division.  It is divided into three parts:

G1: The cell grows and carries out normal activities

S: The cell replicates its chromosomes (DNA).

G2: The cell replicates its organelles and prepares for division.

DNA During Interphase

During interphase, the chromosomes are not visible.  They are uncoiled.  When the DNA is in this uncoiled form it’s called chromatin.  The reason it’s uncoiled is this allows it to be copied more easily.

 This is an animal cell after the G2 part of interphase.  The DNA is uncoiled.  Although you can't see it, the cell now has four doubled chromosomes.  Before they were replicated there were four single chromosomes.

Now the cell is prepared to divide.  Click here to learn how this occurs.