Final answer:
Grid cells make use of a grid geographic coordinate system marked by latitude and longitude, to map positions on Earth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Grid cells help map your position in the environment by using a grid geographic coordinate system. This system utilizes lines of latitude and longitude to express the distance from the equator and the Prime Meridian, respectively.
These grids have been used for thousands of years to aid in navigation and map-making. For instance, the Earth's graticule uses a pattern of 360 degrees to measure and identify any location on Earth, allowing geographers to study spatial activity.
The modern system, which is widely used today, was developed and refined from the works of Eratosthenes and Ptolemy, and formally by Sir George Airy in 1851.
Moreover, the usage of satellites, as with GPS devices, follows this ancient logic of the coordinate system to pinpoint exact locations on the planet. Even smartphones are equipped with the capability to calculate position with great accuracy.
This system's roots date back millennia and have been perfected over time, now used by GPS devices and smartphones to provide precise location data.