Final answer:
Cells have instructions coded in their genes for growth and development. They divide to replace damaged cells and ensure the growth and development of an organism. Cell division is a highly regulated process that ensures genetic stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
As cells grow and divide, they have instructions coded in their genes. These genes provide instructions for cellular growth and development. This process ensures that offspring will grow up to exhibit similar characteristics as their parents. Cells divide to replace damaged or worn-out cells, as well as for the growth and development of an organism.
Cells are programmed to divide only a set number of times, and mutations can accumulate in DNA, preventing cells with damaged DNA from dividing. The process of cell division, specifically mitosis, ensures that each resulting cell has the same DNA as the original cell.
The cell cycle, consisting of stages during which DNA is replicated and cells prepare for division, is tightly regulated and controlled. Failure in these regulatory signals can lead to uncontrollable cell division, which can result in cancer.