間期 (kan-ki) refers to the interphase stage of the cell cycle, which is the period when a cell is not actively dividing. During this phase, the cell grows, duplicates its DNA, and prepares for mitosis. Interphase is crucial for ensuring that the daughter cells receive the correct amount of genetic material after cell division. 間期 is divided into three sub-phases: G1 phase, S phase, and G2 phase. In the G1 phase, the cell grows and synthesizes proteins. The S phase is when DNA replication occurs, and in the G2 phase, the cell continues to grow and prepares for the actual division process, known as mitosis.