Protocell

Definition

A protocell is a self-organized, membrane-bound or membraneless compartment that concentrates biomolecules, proposed as a rudimentary precursor to cells during the origin of life. It is a minimal unit that can undergo Darwinian evolution. The term "protocell" is used interchangeably with other terms such as "artificial cell", "minimal cell", "synthetic cell" to describe similar things. A central question in evolution is how simple protocells first arose and how their progeny could diversify, thus enabling the accumulation of novel biological emergences over time. Although a functional protocell that evolves has not yet been achieved in a laboratory setting, the goal to understand the process appears possible.

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