While interphase isn't technically part of mitosis, it's a crucial preparatory phase. During interphase, the cell grows, duplicates its chromosomes, and prepares for cell division. It's broken down into three subphases:

* G1 (Gap 1): The cell grows and carries out normal functions.

* S (Synthesis): The cell replicates its DNA, creating two identical copies of each chromosome.

* G2 (Gap 2): The cell continues to grow and prepares for mitosis, ensuring everything is ready for division.

After interphase, the cell enters mitosis, which is the process of nuclear division, followed by cytokinesis, which is the division of the cytoplasm.