In a growing plant root, the cells at the tip of the root are constantly dividing to allow the root to grow. Because each cell divides independently of the others, a root tip contains cells at different phases of the cell cycle. A scientist wants to determine the average percentage of time that each cell spends in the various phases of the cell cycle based on a 24-hour cycle time. He looks at a section of the onion root and counts the number of cells in each phase of the cell cycle. The table below shows the data he recorded during his observations.

Which of the following inferences can be drawn based on the data in the table?

A) There are more cells undergoing cytokinesis than telophase because cells need more time to divide the cytoplasm.


B) Cells spend most of their time in mitosis because cells need time to divide and make copies of the genetic information.


C) Cells spend most of their time in interphase because cells need time to grow, copy their DNA, and prepare for division.

D) There are more cells undergoing prophase than telophase because cells need more time to break down the nuclear envelope and condense the genetic information.