The body of a slime mold that flows over a rotten log appears to lack any partitioning into distinct cells; however it does become cellular when it changes form and produces spores.The surfaces of parasitic flatworms and some insect tissues are "syncytial" layers of living material that developed from a single cell but now contains many nuclei but lack partitioning by cell membranes.These tissues actively consume food and produce wastes.Considering that the cell theory states that "all living things are composed of cells," then
A)these tissues are not living because they violate the cell theory.
B)this proves some vital force is involved beyond normal cell structures in order to give life to living organisms.
C)these tissues are obviously a bridge between nonliving and primitive living cells.
D)the general concept of life-is-cellular still holds since sometime in their life these organisms still utilize cells,but this shows cell membranes can be abandoned.
E)this demonstrates that cell membranes are a necessity to be classified as a living cell.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that some organisms have syncytial tissues or lack partitioning into distinct cells does not negate the presence of cells in their life cycle. The cell theory still holds, as these organisms still utilize cells at some point in their life cycle. This demonstrates that cell membranes are not an absolute necessity for all living cells, but they are still an important defining feature.

The Body of a Slime Mold That Flows Over a Rotten