Cell Theory Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Cell Theory?
Cell Theory is a fundamental concept of biology that states that all living organisms are composed of one or more cells, which are the basic units of life. It was first proposed by German scientists Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann in 1838-1839 and has since been widely accepted as an integral part of modern biology.The cell theory states that all organisms are composed of one or more cells, which are the basic units of structure and function in all living things. Cells contain genetic material, carry out metabolic processes, and can reproduce themselves. All cells come from preexisting cells; they cannot be created from nonliving matter. Furthermore, the cell is the smallest unit capable of performing all the activities necessary for life to exist. These activities include respiration, metabolism, growth and reproduction.The cell theory further holds that within each cell there exists a nucleus (the control center), surrounded by cytoplasm (the soup containing cellular organelles). This nucleus contains genetic information which dictates how a given cell will grow and develop into its mature form this process is known as differentiation. In addition, many single-celled organisms have specialized structures such as cilia or flagella to help them move around their environment or attach to surfaces in order to feed or interact with other cells. Cell theory has since been expanded upon to include additional principles such as recognizing the role played by mitochondria in cellular respiration these powerhouses convert energy from food molecules into usable energy for the rest of the cell as well as understanding how DNA acts as a blueprint for protein production within every organism’s cells.