<P> In the cell cycle, interphase is preceded by telophase and cytokinesis of the M phase . In alternative fashion, interphase is sometimes interrupted by G phase, which, in some circumstances, may then end and be followed by the remaining stages of interphase . After the successful completion of the G checkpoint, the final checkpoint in interphase, the cell proceeds to prophase, or in plants to preprophase, which is the first stage of mitosis . </P> <P> G phase is viewed as either an extended G phase where the cell is neither dividing nor preparing to divide and or as a distinct quiescent stage which occurs outside of the cell cycle . </P> <P> In gamete production interphase is succeeded by meiosis . In programmed cell death, interphase is followed or preempted by apoptosis . </P>

Why is the synthesis phase of interphase an essential step for mitosis