Meaning & use
interphase
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Meaning
noununcountablebiologytechnical
The stage of the cell cycle when a cell grows and copies its DNA before dividing.
Grammar: Usually used without 'a' or 'the' when referring to the stage in general: during interphase.
Patterns
- during interphase
- in interphase
- the interphase stage
Most of a cell's life is spent in interphase.
During interphase, the cell copies its DNA in preparation for division.
The cell cycle consists of interphase and mitosis.
Common combinations
- during interphase
- During interphase, the cell grows and carries out its normal functions.
- in interphase
- The chromosomes are not visible in interphase under a light microscope.
- interphase stage
- The interphase stage includes G1, S, and G2 phases.
- enter interphase
- After division, the new cells enter interphase.
Synonyms and how they differ
- growth phase
- Growth phase is a less technical term that describes part of interphase but does not include DNA replication.
Word family
- mitosis noun
- The stage of cell division that follows interphase.
- interphase noun
- The stage itself; no other common family members.
Commonly confused: interphase or interphase?
interphase vs interphase
Not to be confused with 'interfere' or 'interface'; interphase is a biological term.
Practice
In which stage of the cell cycle does the cell copy its DNA?
Choose one answer.
DNA replication occurs during interphase, specifically in the S phase. Prophase, metaphase, and anaphase are stages of mitosis, when the cell actually divides.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “interphase”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.