What characterizes interphase in the cell cycle?

Interphase is characterized primarily by the processes of growth and DNA replication that prepare the cell for division. During this stage, the cell undergoes significant metabolic activity, producing the necessary components and energy to support cell division. Specifically, DNA is replicated to ensure that each daughter cell will have an identical set of chromosomes. Additionally, organelles and other cellular components are synthesized to equip the cell for subsequent stages of its division.

In contrast, the other options describe processes that occur during mitosis or cytokinesis. The cell division process happens outside of interphase, aligning chromosomes and separating them in various stages of mitosis. Thus, understanding interphase as a preparatory phase where replication and growth occur is essential in the study of the overall cell cycle.