Nutrients and waste both enter and leave cells through a process called __________.

• A. cell division
• B. transcription
• C. membrane transport
• D. photosynthesis

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of the question. The problem is asking about the process by which nutrients and waste enter and leave cells. This is a fundamental concept in cell biology.
2. Step 2: Recall the key processes mentioned in the options: cell division, transcription, membrane transport, and photosynthesis. Briefly review their definitions to determine which one is relevant to the movement of substances across the cell membrane.
3. Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options. For example, 'cell division' refers to the process by which a cell divides into two daughter cells, which is unrelated to the movement of nutrients and waste. Similarly, 'transcription' is the process of synthesizing RNA from DNA, and 'photosynthesis' is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
4. Step 4: Focus on 'membrane transport.' This term refers to the movement of substances (such as nutrients and waste) across the cell membrane, either through passive transport (e.g., diffusion, osmosis) or active transport (requiring energy).
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is 'membrane transport,' as it directly describes the process by which nutrients and waste enter and leave cells.