226 



CYTOLOGY 



and non-life is dependent on the de- 

 gree of complexity rather than on a 

 difference in kind, because the same 

 elements are used in both domains, and 

 they must conform to the same ele- 

 mental patterns. From the simplest 

 substance in the inorganic world to the 

 most complex patterns of living sub- 

 stance there must be a graded series. 

 Finally, there is the possibility that 

 a living organism is something more 

 than the sum of its parts. Such being 

 the case, it is not to be expected that 

 "continual fragmentation will of itself 



necessarily reveal the true inner mean- 

 ing of life processes." Is there not the 

 possibility that there is something 

 deeper and more fundamental than 

 cells and molecules that contains the 

 key to the mystery of life, some as yet 

 undiscovered common factor which 

 underlies all living phenomena and 

 which, in its effect, might be compared 

 with the molecular theory that brought 

 the diverse phenomena associated with 

 the solid, liquid, and gaseous states of 

 matter into a unified whole? 



QUESTIONS 



1. What significant change took place in 

 our thinking when an organic com- 

 pound was synthesized by Wohler? 



2. What part do X rays play in disco\er- 

 ing the structure of living matter? 



3. What are some of the reasons why 



viruses may be considered living and 

 what is one reason why they may not 

 be living? 



Has the crystalline, molecular theory 

 answered the question, "What is 

 Ufe?" 



