What is the longest phase of the cell cycle?

The longest phase of the cell cycle is the Gap 1 phase, or G1 phase. During this phase, the cell gears up for cell division by amassing more organelles and getting larger.

The G1 phase, S phase, and G2 phase are collectively known as interphase. Cells spend 90 to 95 percent of the time in interphase, where DNA is synthesized and the cell doubles in mass before mitosis begins. During mitosis nuclear chromosomal separation and departmentalization of cytoplasm occur, and finally two distinct daughter cells are formed. The amount of time a cell spends in one cell cycle depends on its type. Blood cells divide rapidly, whereas nerve cells stop dividing once they have matured.