Question

It is said that the one cycle of cell division in human cells (eukaryotic cells) takes 24 hours. Which phase of the cycle, do you think occupies the maximum part of cell cycle?

Answer 1

Cell cycle of a typical mammalian cell

A typical mammalian cell cycle can be illustrated in a human cell.
These cells divide once in approximately every 24 hours. Hence, the cell cycle span is 24 hours.
The interphase lasts for more than 95% of the total cell cycle span (around 23 hours) whereas about 1% of the total span (around one hour) is required for the cell division (M phase) to occur.



Phase of longest duration

Interphase is the longest phase of a cell cycle which is further divided into three phases- $G_1$ phase, S phase and $G_2$ phase. It is the preparatory phase during which the cell prepares itself for division.


Final answer: Interphase (more specifically, $G_1$ phase of interphase).