Cells obtain the energy and materials they need to grow, divide, and carry on the functions essential to life from

Cells, like humans, cannot generate energy without locating a source in their environment. However, where as humans search for substances like fossil fuels to power their homes and businesses, cells seek their energy in the form of food molecules or sunlight. In fact, the Sun is the ultimate source of energy for almost all cells, because photosynthetic prokaryotes, algae, and plant cells harness solar energy and use it to make the complex organic food molecules that other cells rely on for the energy required to sustain growth, metabolism, and reproduction