What is the primary purpose of the cell cycle?

The primary purpose of the cell cycle is to enable cell growth and division. The cell cycle consists of a series of stages through which a cell goes to grow, replicate its DNA, and ultimately divide to produce two daughter cells. This process is essential for growth, development, and tissue repair in multicellular organisms, as well as for reproduction in unicellular organisms.

During specific phases of the cell cycle, such as interphase, cells increase in size, synthesize necessary proteins, and replicate their genetic material to ensure that when division occurs, each new cell receives a complete set of chromosomes. Thus, the cell cycle is fundamental for life as it allows for the replacement of old or damaged cells and enables organisms to grow. Other options, while important functions in cellular biology, do not capture the overarching goal of the cell cycle itself.