Cellantals

Cellantals are a fictional class of autonomous, cell-like units used in speculative biology and science fiction to explore early steps toward multicellularity. They are not observed in nature and are treated as thought experiments rather than real organisms.

In these models, a cellantal consists of a membrane-bound enclosure containing a minimal metabolic core capable of catalysis, energy capture, and basic repair. It can move or orient itself in response to gradients, adhere to surfaces, and form loose colonies through surface interactions. Metabolite exchange can occur via diffusion or membrane channels; some models permit temporary coordination among neighboring units to perform simple, collective tasks such as nutrient scavenging or surface remodeling.

Reproduction and development: reproduction occurs by fragmentation or budding, producing genetically identical offspring; some variants incorporate a primitive genetic region that can be copied or transmitted, enabling limited heredity. Evolutionary role: in thought experiments, cellantals illustrate potential stages in the transition from unicellularity to simple multicellularity and division of labor. In fiction, they are depicted as living lattice networks or symbiotic communities within hosts.

Status and use: Cellantals are not established biological entities; their value lies in pedagogy and speculative design, including discussions of protocell research and synthetic biology. Critiques include the risk of conflating fiction with science; proponents emphasize clear distinction. See also: protocell; multicellularity; synthetic biology.