Final answer:
Option d) Cells can only arise through spontaneous generation is not a tenet of the cell theory, while options a), b), and c) are all accurate statements reflecting its principles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the tenants of cell theory, which is a fundamental concept in biology. The correct answer to the question is option d) Cells can only arise through spontaneous generation. This statement is not a tenet of the cell theory. In contrast, the cell theory specifically states that all cells only come from pre-existing cells (the principle of biogenesis), a concept known as the law of biogenesis. This rejects the idea of spontaneous generation, which was a previously held belief that living organisms could arise from non-living matter.
The remaining options a), b), and c) are all true statements that reflect the principles of cell theory:
- All living organisms are composed of cells.
- The cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living organisms.
- All cells come from pre-existing cells.