The stage of the cell cycle in which dividing cells spend most of their time, preparing for cell division. There are three distinct subphases: G_{1}, S, and G_{2}.

The correct answer will be option - G₁ phase

Explanation:

The cell cycle duration varies in the organisms depending on the life span of the organism.

In humans, the average duration of the cell cycle is 24 hours which is divided into different phases according to the function of the phase.

The cell spends most of its time in interphase which is divided into 3 subphases: G₁, S and G₂.

The cell spends 23 hours into interphase in which the cell remains in the G₁ phase for a longer period of time as compared to S and G₂. This long duration accounts as the cell have just come out of the M phase and have to again prepare itself for the next cell division which takes around 10 hours.

Thus, the G₁ phase is the correct answer.