Fundamental concept of biology that states that: 1) all living things are composed of cells; 2) that cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things; and 3) that new cells are produced from existing cells
Cell theory
The fundamental concept of biology that states that all living things are composed of cells, cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things, and new cells are produced from existing cells is known as the Cell Theory. This theory is one of the unifying principles of biology and forms the basis of our understanding of how living organisms function.
The Cell Theory was first proposed by scientists Robert Hooke and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in the 17th century. They observed that all living organisms were made up of tiny structural units that they called “cells”. Over time, subsequent scientific discoveries expanded upon and refined the Cell Theory.
Some key aspects of the Cell Theory include:
– All living organisms are composed of one or more cells.
– The cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living organisms.
– All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
– Cells contain genetic material in the form of DNA, which is passed on from parent cells to daughter cells during cell division.
– Cells show a remarkable level of diversity in form and function, but all share many common features and characteristics.
The Cell Theory has significant implications for our understanding of biology. It helps explain many of the processes and phenomena that we observe in the natural world, from the growth and development of organisms to the way that bacteria divide and spread. Additionally, it provides a framework for studying and analyzing living systems, and has led to the development of many important technologies and medical treatments.
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