Examine the picture of an onion root tip with cells in various stages of the cell cycle. A student claims that interphase is the longest stage of the cell cycle. Another student claims that mitosis is the longest stage. Using evidence from the photo, determine which student is correct and why.
A) Mitosis is the longest stage because anaphase requires more time to separate chromatids.
B) Interphase is the longest stage because chromosomes are visible in the majority of the cells.
C) Mitosis is the longest stage because the majority of the cells in the photo are replicating their DNA.
D) Interphase is the longest stage because the majority of the cells in the photo have uncondensed chromatin and are not dividing.