Question

which statement forms part of cell theory?
a. cell organelles are capable of reproducing themselves.
b. cells differ in shape, but they have identical components.
c. all cells begin life as prokaryotic cells.
d. all living things are made up of cells.

Explanation:

Cell theory has three main tenets: 1) All living organisms are composed of one or more cells. 2) The cell is the basic unit of structure and organization in organisms. 3) Cells arise from pre - existing cells.

• Option A: Cell organelles reproducing themselves is not a part of cell theory.
• Option B: Cells can have different components depending on their function (e.g., plant cells have chloroplasts while animal cells don't), so this is incorrect.
• Option C: Not all cells begin as prokaryotic cells (e.g., eukaryotic cells in multicellular organisms develop from other eukaryotic cells), so this is wrong.
• Option D: "All living things are made up of cells" is one of the core tenets of cell theory.

Answer:

D. All living things are made up of cells.