Cell division biology

Question

How can you tell which cell phase is the longest or shortest?

I know that prophase is the longest but I don't know how to identify or why that is the case.

Answer 1

Chromatin packaging occurs in prophase. DNA crossing over occurs in prophase I of meiosis. You could look at dividing cells under a microscope. A plant apical meristem would be ideal for this. Count the number of cells in each phase: interphase, prophase, metaphase, etc. Then divide each count by the total number of cells counted. If you want actual time spent in each phase, multiply each relative frequency by the time a cell cycle takes.