most of the life of a cell is spent in a period of growth and development called_____.

The answer is interphase.

Most of the life of a cell is spent in a period of growth and development called the interphase.

The period of growth and development that most of a cell's life is spent in is called the interphase. To understand this concept, let's break it down:

1. The Cell Cycle: The cell cycle is the sequence of events that a cell goes through during its life. It consists of three main phases: interphase, mitosis (or cell division), and cytokinesis.

2. Interphase: Interphase is the longest phase of the cell cycle, accounting for about 90% of a cell's life. It can be further divided into three stages: G1 (Gap 1), S (Synthesis), and G2 (Gap 2).

- G1 Phase: Also known as the first gap phase, G1 is a period of cell growth where the cell increases in size, and its organelles duplicate. This phase prepares the cell for DNA synthesis.

- S Phase: In the S phase, DNA replication occurs. The cell synthesizes a complete copy of its genetic material (chromosomes) to prepare for cell division.

- G2 Phase: The G2 phase is the second gap phase, where the cell continues to grow and prepares for the final stage of the cell cycle, mitosis.

3. Mitosis and Cytokinesis: After completing interphase, the cell enters the mitosis phase, where it divides into two daughter cells. Mitosis is followed by cytokinesis, which is the physical division of the cell and its contents.

So, to answer your question, the period of growth and development where a cell spends most of its life is interphase, particularly the G1, S, and G2 stages.