Final answer:
Before cell division, a cell enters interphase where it duplicates its DNA and checks for all necessary conditions for division. It grows to accommodate structures and metabolic needs, ensuring that daughter cells will be viable. Mitosis then equally distributes replicated chromosomes to the resulting cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before a cell can begin cell division, it undergoes a critical preparatory phase known as interphase. This phase is essential for the cell to replicate its DNA, ensuring that each resulting daughter cell receives a complete and accurate copy of the genetic information. During interphase, a cell must also grow sufficiently, fulfilling necessary metabolic activities and synthesizing proteins required for division.
To ensure the proper division and function of the resulting cells, the original cell must also make certain that it can support all the structures and activities vital for survival. This involves checking at internal checkpoints during the cell cycle to confirm all conditions are met. If the cell's size becomes inefficient due to a decreasing surface-to-volume ratio, division might be triggered to maintain efficiency.
In eukaryotic organisms, cell division involves the process of mitosis, where chromosomes, which are already replicated, are distributed to the daughter cells. Apart from the genetic material, the cell must ensure the proper allotment of organelles to both new cells. Additionally, some cells may remain in a dormant phase known as the Go phase until specific conditions for reproduction are met.