The modern cell theory states the following:

  1. All organisms are made up of cells.
  2. The cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living organisms.
  3. All cells come from other cells by cell reproduction.
  4. Cells contain hereditary information, which is passed from cell to cell during cell division.
  5. All cells are the same in chemical composition.
  6. All energy flow (metabolism and biochemistry) of life occurs within the cell.

In this section, you will look more closely at the fifth statement of the cell theory.

In the lesson titled “Organic Compounds,” you learned the six main essential elements to living organisms.

These six elements make up the four groups of organic compounds.

All living organisms on Earth are made up of organic compounds. Therefore, all cells are the same in chemical composition.