Interphase includes cell growth and DNA replication but excludes mitosis

Steps:

• Recall interphase as the period between cell divisions, consisting of G1 (growth), S (DNA synthesis), and G2 (preparation) phases.
• Identify process 1 as cell growth, which occurs in G1 phase.
• Identify process 3 as DNA replication, which occurs in S phase.
• Confirm process 2 as mitosis, which happens in M phase, not interphase.

Why C is correct:

• Interphase definition limits it to G1, S, and G2, including growth (1) and DNA replication (3) per standard cell cycle model.

Why the others are wrong:

• A includes mitosis (2), absent in interphase.
• B omits DNA replication (3), essential in S phase.
• D includes mitosis (2), which occurs post-interphase.

Final answer: C