What does the cell theory state?

The cell theory is a fundamental concept in biology that outlines three essential principles regarding cells and their role in living organisms. Each component of the cell theory plays a critical role in our understanding of the structure and function of life.

The first principle states that all living organisms are composed of cells, which highlights that cells are the building blocks of life. This implies that whether an organism is unicellular or multicellular, it is fundamentally made up of cells.

The second principle asserts that the cell is the basic unit of life. This underlines the significance of the cell in the hierarchy of biological organization, indicating that cells are the smallest units that can carry out life processes independently.

The third principle emphasizes that all cells arise from pre-existing cells. This concept is crucial in understanding how life perpetuates through cellular division, where existing cells replicate to form new cells, thus maintaining continuity in living organisms.

Since all these statements are true and form the complete understanding of the cell theory, the correct response encompasses all of these principles, leading to the conclusion that the answer is indeed all of the above.