Why is it necessary that the cell copies its DNA?

This process involves replication of the cell's chromosomes, segregation of the copied DNA, and splitting of the parent cell's cytoplasm. The outcome of binary fission is two new cells that are identical to the original cell. In contrast to prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells may divide via either mitosis or meiosis.

DNA replication is important because it creates a second copy of DNA that must go into one of the two daughter cells when a cell divides. Life is dependent on the information stored in the DNA. Without replication of the DNA, the information would not be passed on and life would cease to exist.