Final answer:
Cells grow during the interphase of the cell cycle, which includes DNA replication to prepare for division. This ensures that each new cell is of the proper size and has the correct genetic material, preventing them from getting smaller with each division.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cell Growth and Division:
To ensure cells do not simply get smaller and smaller with each division, they need to grow. This growth happens in the interphase stage of the cell cycle. During interphase, the cell increases in size and prepares for division by replicating its DNA. After a cell is born, it passes through this critical phase before it is ready to divide. Interphase consists of gap phases (G1 and G2) and the S phase, where DNA replication occurs. Once a cell has grown and replicated its DNA, it can enter mitosis and cytokinesis, thus completing cell division and ensuring each new daughter cell has the correct amount of genetic material and cellular components. Cell division is the basis of growth, development, and maintenance of organisms.
DNA replication is a crucial step that occurs just before the cell divides. Two identical chromosomes are created from one, which guarantees that each new cell receives a full set of chromosomes. This precise process is essential for cell growth and health of an organism.
The relationship between cell division and growth varies across organisms. Some cells may divide without growth during early development, but eventually, to continue dividing, there needs to be an increase in mass and size shown by the acquisition of materials for new cell formation.