Question

Describe the origin of the cell theory

Answer 1

There are 2 fundamental theoretical approaches detailing the origin of the cell: purely naturalistic, and theistic. The naturalistic approach involves a number of possible theories, the goal being to find the simplest combination of critical functional elements that could be called a living entity and not requiring a cell membrane, rather some form of metabolically and reproductively viable configuration that could be called the first lifeform. This is considered marginally viable as the cell membrane is essential for holding the cell together, protecting the interior, and allowing the outflow and influx of chemicals necessary for cellular function. A more challenging and less substantiated theoretical approach with a number of theories calls for all atoms of the chemical elements needed for the construction, operation, and reproduction of the first cell overtime collect and interact at increasingly higher levels of complexity until a complete cellular entity results. Neither answers the question how the non-living material collected actually comes alive.

The theistic approach proposes that God designed the total requirements for the first cellular life then set the conditions for its elemental collection, biochemical assembly and ultimate transition to a living entity.The viability of this approach is high considering the problems it solves:
1. The non-existence of any natural processes or forces to accomplish the total cellular assembly or transition to living status.
2. The absence of any combination of conditions that could colocate, coincide, concentrate, and mitigate contamination of required elements.
3. Resolve the creation and assembly of homochiral amino acids with homopolymer sugar backplanes.
4. Create and code the DNA, RNA and proteins required for cellular operation and reproduction. DNA and RNA are made of proteins but DNA is required to produce proteins.
5. Create and assembly the cell membrane that accomplishes all the required functions.
6. The accomplishment of all the above under environmentally stressful conditions of the primordial Earth.

Much more could be added.