Which term describes the principle that all cells are derived from the division of existing cells?

Which term describes the principle that all cells are derived from the division of existing cells?

• A. Cytoplasm
• B. Cytosol
• C. Cell continuity
• D. Meiosis

Answer: (C)

All cells come from pre-existing cells through division, so there is a continuous lineage of cells from previous generations. This idea is a fundamental part of cell theory and is often summarized by the notion of cell continuity: new cells are produced by the division of existing ones, passing on genetic material to the offspring cells. That explains growth, tissue repair, and development across organisms. Cytoplasm refers to the whole interior of the cell, including cytosol and organelles; cytosol is the fluid part of the cytoplasm; meiosis is a special type of cell division that halves the chromosome number to form gametes. Neither of these terms captures the idea of cells giving rise to other cells, which is why the concept describing this principle is cell continuity.

All cells come from pre-existing cells through division, so there is a continuous lineage of cells from previous generations. This idea is a fundamental part of cell theory and is often summarized by the notion of cell continuity: new cells are produced by the division of existing ones, passing on genetic material to the offspring cells. That explains growth, tissue repair, and development across organisms.

Cytoplasm refers to the whole interior of the cell, including cytosol and organelles; cytosol is the fluid part of the cytoplasm; meiosis is a special type of cell division that halves the chromosome number to form gametes. Neither of these terms captures the idea of cells giving rise to other cells, which is why the concept describing this principle is cell continuity.