Final answer:
Cells adapt and prepare for new environments and cell division through the G1, S, and G2 phases of the cell cycle, where nutrients are transported and organic molecules synthesized. Key processes include DNA replication, protein synthesis, and organelle duplication in preparation for mitosis. Transport within cells is achieved through various mechanisms, which have been favored by natural selection over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cells adapt to new environments, transport nutrients, and synthesize organic molecules during different phases of the cell cycle. The G1 phase, which is a period of cell growth where the cell increases in size and synthesizes various types of molecules and organelles. In this phase, the cell prepares for DNA replication by producing proteins and other necessary components. The Synthesis Phase (S) is when DNA replication occurs, effectively doubling the amount of DNA in preparation for cell division. Then, during the G2 phase, the cell replenishes its energy and synthesizes proteins necessary for chromosome manipulation, as well as duplicating some organelles and dismantling the cytoskeleton to provide resources for mitosis.
During mitosis, the duplicated chromosomes are evenly divided into two daughter cells. This is essential for growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction in organisms. Energy is constantly used by cells for these processes, requiring the import, metabolism, and synthesis of nutrients and molecules.
Transportation of molecules within cells and throughout the organism is done through mechanisms like active transport, passive diffusion, facilitated diffusion, co-transport, and endocytosis. Additionally, evolution has favored mechanisms like group translocation in bacteria, where substances enter cells and are chemically modified for efficient use within the cell.