HealthAugust 5, 2026
protocells
PROH-toh-selz
Definition
Early, simple, cell-like structures formed from organic molecules that preceded the emergence of true, self-sustaining living cells.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'protos' meaning 'first' and the Latin 'cella' meaning 'small room,' the term refers to the earliest, primitive precursors to biological cells.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the rudimentary units that eventually began producing their own enzymes, marking a transition toward independent life.
New Theory: Life on Earth May Have Arisen Twice Independently
Read the full article ↗BGNES