protocell

A protocell is a simple, primitive structure that researchers believe could have been an early form of life. It consists of a membrane, like a tiny bubble or bag, that encloses molecules capable of basic biochemical activities, such as chemical reactions or copying some genetic material. Protocells are thought to have emerged on the path to living cells, serving as a transitional stage in the origin of life. They help scientists understand how non-living parts could come together to eventually develop into living organisms through natural processes.