Final answer:
Cell division is a process by which the body replaces damaged or old cells. It involves the cell cycle, mitosis, and cytokinesis to produce two identical daughter cells from one parent cell, enabling the repair and renewal of tissues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of cell division serves to replace damaged or worn-out cells. As cells become too old or suffer injury, the body needs a mechanism to replace them. Through a series of coordinated steps called the cell cycle, which includes phases of growth and replication, cells divide to produce new, genetically identical cells. This process includes mitosis, the division of the nucleus, and cytokinesis, the division of the cytoplasm and the parent cell into two daughter cells.
For instance, when you cut your finger, cell division helps repair the injury by creating new skin cells from the existing ones in the surrounding area. And as cells naturally reach the end of their lifespan, cell division contributes to the ongoing renewal of cells throughout the body, replacing the old and worn-out cells with fresh, functional ones. These daughter cells are equipped with a full set of genetic instructions, identical to the original cell, enabling them to perform the same functions.