Mitosis is the nuclear division phase of the cell cycle

Steps:

• Define mitosis as the process of nuclear division, including prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
• Identify interphase as the preparatory phase before mitosis, involving G1, S, and G2 stages.
• Recognize metaphase as the stage in mitosis where chromosomes align at the cell's equator.
• Classify cytokinesis as cytoplasmic division following mitosis, not part of nuclear division itself.

Why D is correct:

• Mitosis specifically encompasses chromosome segregation phases like metaphase, per the standard cell cycle definition.

Why the others are wrong:

• A includes interphase and cytokinesis, which occur outside mitosis.
• B includes interphase, which precedes mitosis.
• C selects only interphase, excluding the actual mitosis phase.

Final answer: D