Posted by Margaret Gamayo on July 25, 2006

Q: Why do you think it is the Cell "Theory" instead of the Cell "Law"?

A: Your question is a good one. I've found definitions for both that work for me and I hope they help clear it up for you too.

Scientific Law: This is a statement of fact meant to explain, in concise terms, an action or set of actions. It is generally accepted to be true and universal, and can sometimes be expressed in terms of a single mathematical equation. Scientific laws are similar to mathematical postulates. They donít really need any complex external proofs; they are accepted at face value based upon the fact that they have always been observed to be true.

Theory: A theory is more like a scientific law than a hypothesis. A theory is an explanation of a set of related observations or events based upon proven hypotheses and verified multiple times by detached groups of researchers. One scientist cannot create a theory; he can only create a hypothesis.

The three main parts of the Cell Theory are:

1. All organisms are made up of one or more cells.

2. The cell is the fundamental unit of structure and function in living things.

3. All cells are essentially the same in chemical composition.

John Wiessinger ( July 25, 2006)