What is protocells for 3 marks
Answers
Modern cells evolved from protocells. Despite having highly similar characteristics to living cells, these precursory cell-like structures are non-living. Recent research has focused on the production of synthetic protocells to explore their biological applications.
A model of evolution
The first life forms on Earth appeared approximately 3.5 billion years ago. It is thought that modern cells evolved from much simpler protocells. However, there are still gaps in our knowledge about the origins of life on Earth. Thus, the study of protocells is an area of interest for evolutionary biologists.
Production of protocells
There are two complimentary approaches used to produce protocells which enable the study of different aspects of the origin of life and modification of cells.
Using molecular constituents as tools to build protocells, the bottom-up approach closely resembles the way in which life must have been created on Earth – from abiotic sources. The top-down approach differs from the bottom-up approach as it strips cells of specific genes in order to create modified ‘minimal’ cells.