1. All living organisms are composed of one or more cells. This means that regardless of the complexity of a living thing, it is ultimately made up of cells.
2. The cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living organisms. Cells are not just building blocks, they are the functional units that carry out the essential processes of life, like metabolism, growth, and reproduction.
3. All cells arise from pre-existing cells. Cells don't spontaneously appear, they are always generated from the division of existing cells. This principle disproves the idea of spontaneous generation.
Bonus point: While not always explicitly stated in the original cell theory, modern cell theory also includes:
* Cells contain hereditary information (DNA) which is passed on from cell to cell during cell division. This further emphasizes the continuity of life and the role of DNA in guiding cellular function.
The cell theory is a unifying concept in biology, providing a framework for understanding the structure, function, and origin of all living things.
