organismidel
Organismidel is a term used in speculative biology to denote the smallest functional unit of life that can maintain metabolism and reproduction outside a complete organism. It is a hypothetical concept rather than a universally defined taxon, serving as a thought-experiment boundary object in discussions of minimal life and autonomous biological systems, whether organic or synthetic.
Definition and scope: An organismidel is characterized by functional autonomy: it harbors a self-sustaining metabolic network,
Origins and usage: The term emerged in discussions of minimal life and synthetic biology, where researchers
Relationship to existing concepts: Organismidel relates to the idea of a protocell (a simple cell-like structure)
Significance and criticisms: Proponents use the concept to frame questions about what is essential for life,