Which of the following is NOT a phase of cell division?

Interphase is not considered a phase of cell division itself, but rather a preparatory phase that occurs before cell division takes place. During interphase, the cell undergoes growth and DNA replication, ensuring that the necessary components are ready for the cell division process. Interphase consists of several sub-phases: G1 (gap 1), S (synthesis), and G2 (gap 2), during which the cell prepares for actual division by duplicating its genetic material and organelles.

In contrast, metaphase, meiosis, and telophase are all stages directly involved in the actual process of cell division. Metaphase is the stage of mitosis or meiosis where chromosomes align at the cell's equatorial plane. Telophase is one of the final steps of mitosis or meiosis, during which the separated chromosomes reach opposite poles, and the nuclear envelope begins to reform. Meiosis refers to the specific type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half to produce gametes, involving two rounds of division. This makes the distinction clear between interphase as a preparatory stage and the other options, which are active phases of division.