Final answer:
Cells are part of a continuous lineage of living organisms that can be traced back to a common ancestor that existed 3.5 billion years ago.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement means that cells are part of a continuous lineage of living organisms. According to the cell theory, all living things are made up of cells and living cells always come from other living cells. This implies that every cell in your body can be traced back to a common ancestor that existed 3.5 billion years ago. Cells have evolved and diversified over time, but they are connected through a shared history of descent.