ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that the impartiality of science resides in its collective aspect. Many biologists spend their time studying cell structure and function. The historical development of the cell concept is interesting and instructive, and the dictionary definition points to some important features of cells. One typical way of determining whether cells are alive or dead is to mix them with a special dye that stains the cells only if they are dead. Another way is to analyze the medium in which the cells are suspended to determine whether cytoplasmic components have been released from the cells into the medium. The concept of biological organisms assumes the establishment and maintenance of biological interfaces to be a necessary and fundamental feature that makes the existence of the organisms possible. The presence of an active interface of exchange between biological compartments such as organisms and their surroundings is an indication that the compartment under study is alive.
