Final answer:
Cells divide at the highest rate during the log phase of the cell cycle when environmental conditions are ideal. The Go phase is a state of inactivity, unlike the log phase where division is rapid and exponential.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cells divide at the highest rate possible during the log phase, also known as the exponential growth phase. In this stage, cells are actively dividing through binary fission, and their numbers increase exponentially. The log phase represents the period in the cell cycle when environmental conditions are optimal, including factors like nutrients and temperature. This is in stark contrast to cells in the Go phase, which are not in an active state of preparation for division and can remain quiescent for an indefinite period until conditions improve or specific signals prompt a return to the active phases of the cell cycle.
The G1 phase, S phase (where DNA replication occurs), and G2 phase are all stages leading up to mitosis in actively dividing cells. These phases are collectively known as interphase. However, it is during the log phase that the rate of cell division is maximized, given the proper environmental conditions.