Final answer:
The majority of a cell's life is spent in interphase, and only a small portion is dedicated to cellular division, making the statement false. A large portion of the cell cycle involves growth, DNA replication, and preparation for division, not the division process itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Cells spend a majority of their time in cellular division' is false. The life of a cell is characterized by a cycle known as the cell cycle, which includes stages such as interphase and the mitotic phase (mitosis and cytokinesis). During interphase, the cell grows and duplicates its DNA in preparation for division. However, the majority of a cell's life is spent in interphase, particularly in the G1, S (where DNA replication occurs), and G2 phases, with only a small fraction of time spent in the actual process of cell division or mitosis. In fact, only about 7% of the cell cycle is devoted to mitosis.
Moreover, many cells in a mature organism do not actively divide all the time. Some cells enter a state called G0 where they are not preparing to divide but instead fulfill specialized functions. Cell division is critical for growth, development, and repair, yet it is a regulated part of the cell cycle rather than its primary state. The cell theory also supports the fact that while all cells arise from pre-existing cells through division, not all cells are continuously in a state of division.