What is the longest stage of the cell cycle?

The longest stage of the cell cycle is the interphase, which is divided into three main phases: G1 (gap 1), S (synthesis), and G2 (gap 2).

During the G1 phase, the cell grows in size, copies organelles, and prepares for DNA replication in the S phase. The S phase is when the cell's DNA is replicated, resulting in two identical copies of the genetic material.

The G2 phase follows the S phase and is when the cell continues to grow and prepare for cell division. This includes synthesizing proteins needed for mitosis and checking for any errors in the replicated DNA.

Overall, the interphase can last for a significant amount of time, with cells spending the majority of their lifespan in this stage. The length of the interphase can vary between different cell types and species, with some cells remaining in interphase for days or even years before entering the next stage of the cell cycle.