The basic principles of cellular theory are the postulates of the unity of all living things.

The basic principles of cell theory are the basis for understanding the laws of the origin and existence of living organisms, consisting of elementary structural units. This biological generalization proves that life exists only in a cell, as well as the fact that each “living cell” is a whole system that can independently exist.

The main principles of the cellular theory were formulated by M. Schleiden and T. Schwann and supplemented by R. Virkhov. Before making conclusions and formulating the postulates of this theory, experts worked on the works of many of their predecessors. So, in 1665, R. Hooke saw for the first time on a cork a formation called a "cell." Then, the cellular structure of many plants was described. Later A. Levenguk described unicellular. In the nineteenth century. Improving the design of the microscope leads to the expansion of concepts about the structure of organisms; the concept of living tissues is introduced. T. Schwann conducts a comparative analysis of the smallest structural unit among representatives of flora and fauna, while Schleiden publishes a book entitled Materials on Phytogenesis.

The basic principles of cell theory developed by Schleiden and Schwan:

1. All representatives of flora and fauna consist of elementary structural units.
2. The growth and development of the plant and animal organism occurs due to the emergence of new “living cells”.

This structure is the smallest unit of living, and the body is their combination.

Then R.Virkhov added a very important point that every structural unit comes from its own kind. This work has been edited and summarized many times. Now the main provisions of modern cellular theory are as follows:

1. A cell is an elementary unit of living.
2. The smallest structural units of all living things are homologous to the composition, vital processes and metabolism.
3. Cells multiply by maternal division .
4. All elementary units of living have one beginning, i.e. they are totipotent.
5. In multicellular organisms, the smallest units of living are interconnected according to the functions that they perform, while forming more complex structures (tissue, organ and organ system).
6. Each “living cell” is an open system that is able to independently regulate the processes of updating, reproduction and maintain homeostasis.

In recent years (after many scientific discoveries), this theory has been expanded, supplemented with new information. However, it is not systematized completely, therefore its postulates are interpreted by some quite arbitrarily. Consider the most common additional provisions of the cellular theory:

1. The smallest structural units of nuclear and nuclear organisms are not completely identical in composition and structure.
2. The continuity of the transmission of hereditary information also applies to some organoids (chloroplasts, mitochondria, chromosomes, genes) of the “living cell”.
3. Although the living units are totipotent, the work of their genes is different. That is what leads to their differentiation.
4. Multicellular are a complex system, the functioning of which is carried out due to chemical factors, humoral and nervous regulation.

Thus, the basic principles of cellular theory are a generally accepted biological generalization, which proves the unity of the principle of the structure, existence and development of all living things with a cellular structure.