- Cells can only grow to a certain size before they must divide, as larger cells have trouble transporting nutrients and waste across their membranes. The rate of transport depends on surface area, which increases more slowly than volume.
- Cell division occurs through mitosis and cytokinesis. Mitosis divides the nucleus, while cytokinesis divides the cytoplasm. This ensures each daughter cell has the proper number of chromosomes and identical copies of DNA from the parent cell.
- The cell cycle, regulated by cyclins, coordinates cell growth and division. Cells progress through interphase (G1, S, G2 phases) before entering mitosis (M phase) to accurately replicate DNA and divide. Tight controls ensure cells only grow and divide