What is the normal lifecycle of cells?

The normal lifecycle of cells fundamentally includes a process of growth followed by division and eventually death. In the context of cellular biology, this means that cells first grow during a phase called interphase, where they prepare for division by replicating their DNA and increasing their organelles and cytoplasmic components. Following this growth phase, cells enter the mitotic phase where they divide to produce two daughter cells. This process of division is crucial for growth, tissue repair, and replacement of dead or damaged cells.

Cell death, also known as apoptosis, is an important aspect of the lifecycle, ensuring that old, damaged, or unnecessary cells are removed in a controlled manner. This maintains homeostasis within the body and prevents issues like cancer, which can arise when the regulatory mechanisms of cell growth and death are disrupted.

The other options, while they contain elements of cellular activities, do not fully capture the comprehensive sequence of growth, division, and death that characterizes the normal lifecycle of cells. For instance, simply stating "grow and die" overlooks the critical phase of cell division, which is essential for the continuation of life and functioning of tissues. Similarly, terms like "multiply" and "evolve," while relevant in certain contexts, do not accurately reflect the orderly