2o6 THEORETICAL BIOLOGY 



heredity that was generally applicable, could also throw 

 light on the essential nature of the whole problem of the 

 genesis of organisms. 



THE THEORY OF THE GENESIS OF ORGANISMS 



The morphological building-stone of all living beings is 

 the cell. Every cell consists of a protoplasmic cell-body 

 and a nucleus, which contains the chromosomes. 



From the work of Biitschli and Rhumbler we know that 

 the protoplasm of the cell-body resembles a foam, i.e. a struc- 

 ture consisting of fluid partitions enclosing cavities filled 

 with another fluid. The fluids in the cavities differ from 

 one another, and this gives occasion for very complicated 

 interchange, which induces complex physical processes. 



Wherever we find protoplasm, we find the power to 

 respond to external effects by irritability and movement, 

 and also the power to take up and assimilate foreign sub- 

 stances. But we know of no case where these activities go 

 on without regulation. In all cells a rule connects them 

 together into a common function. This rule converts the 

 cell into an independent centre having an autonomous exist- 

 ence. Each cell has its own set of laws ; consequently it 

 is a subject, for it is in the nature of the subject to be a law 

 unto itself. Therein lies the difference from all machines. 

 They also have a rule which converts their activity into a 

 function, but this rule is never subjective ; it always enters 

 into the machine from without. Hence machines are never 

 autonomous and never subjects. 



The function of all cells is twofold. Firstly, it is vegetative, 

 when the cell takes up substances from the external world 

 and assimilates them. The assimilated substances furnish the 

 fuel for the movements of the cell, or serve for the cell's 

 growth. Secondly, the function is animal, when it transforms 



