Question

the time it takes a cell to complete the cell cycle varies depending on the type of cell. a typical animal cell takes 12 - 24 hours to complete the cell cycle. some cells might complete the cycle in eight minutes. other cells might take as long as a year to complete one cycle.
stage description number of cells
interphase the cell grows in size, performs normal functions, and copies its dna. one cell
mitosis the cell nucleus divides, and the chromosomes separate into the two nuclei.
cytokinesis the cytoplasm of the cell divides, forming two daughter cells.
what happens during interphase? the stages of the cell cycle are shown in the figure below. most of the cell cycle is taken up by interphase. during interphase the cell grows, performs normal cell functions, and copies its dna in preparation for cell division. interphase is divided into three stages: g₁, s, and g₂, also called gap 1, synthesis, and gap 2. after gap 2, the cell begins mitosis. as soon as a cell is finished dividing, it enters the g₁ stage of interphase. during this stage, a cell grows, performs normal cell functions, and prepares to copy its dna. some cells, such as muscle and nerve cells, exit the cycle at this stage and do not divide again. the second stage of interphase is the synthesis, or s stage. during this stage, the cell copies its dna. the g₂ stage is after the s stage. this is the period when the cell prepares for the division of its nucleus. a protein that makes microtubules for cell division is synthesized at this time. the cell also makes sure that it is ready to move forward in the cell cycle. when preparations are complete, the cell enters mitosis.

Explanation:

The text clearly states that during interphase, the cell grows in size, performs normal functions, and copies its DNA in preparation for cell division. It is divided into $G_1$, $S$, and $G_2$ stages with specific events occurring in each sub - stage related to growth, DNA replication, and preparation for nucleus division.

Answer:

During interphase, the cell grows, performs normal cell functions, and copies its DNA in preparation for cell division. It is divided into three stages: $G_1$ (where the cell grows and prepares to copy DNA), $S$ (where DNA is copied), and $G_2$ (where the cell prepares for nucleus division).