protocells

Protocells are simple, cell-like structures that represent early forms of life or the building blocks of life. They consist of a membrane, often made of fatty molecules, that encloses basic biological components or chemical reactions. Protocells can form spontaneously in nature and are studied to understand how living cells might have originated from non-living molecules. They are important in research related to the origin of life, synthetic biology, and the development of artificial cells, providing insights into how complex life could have evolved from simple, non-living materials.