> Yes, cells can divide only a limited number of times. And then they die. But guess what: your body is capable of creating new cells. If I read this correctly

> Yes, cells can divide only a limited number of times. And then they die. But guess what: your body is capable of creating new cells. If I read this correctly, you imply that "creating new cells" is somehow an alternative to cell division. This isn't true - cell division is in fact the only mechanism by which new cells normally(1) come to life. Consequently if the GP was correct in general in saying that cells can divide only a limited number of times then yes, eventually the organism would lose the ability to regenerate and die. The reality is that not all cells have a limit on the number of divisions. Majority of differentiated cells do, but a few special types of cells have no such limit. These are called stem cells. Many tissues have stems cells on standby waiting for signals that trigger regeneration. Cancer cells often break out of the limit, too (2). Telomeres provide a mechanism that limits the number of cell divisions - they get shortened on each division and once they become too short the cell loses the ability to divide further. Stems cells (and some cancer cells) express an enzyme called telomerase (3) that extends the telomeres to their original length after cell division. (1) Reproductive cells (sperms and ovums) can also create a new cell by merging, but this isn't relevant for somatic cells. (2) Cancer is a neat demonstration of the dangers that uncontrolled cell division poses for a complex organism and explains why most types of cells have their division machinery restricted or disabled. (3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telomerase https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telomerase