Look up: protobiont

1. protobiont
   protobiont 1. Initial structures during the origin of life which can show at least one property of life. 2. An aggregate of organic molecules surrounded by a membrane or a membrane-like structure. Protobionts exhibit some of the properties associated with life, including simple reproduction, metabo...
   Found on http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/inf
   
   
2. Protobiont
   `Protobionts` are systems that are considered to have possibly been the precursors to prokaryotic cells. If RNA is trapped inside, the system can use the RNA or select for it. A protobiont is an aggregate of abiotically produced organic molecules surrounded by a membrane or a membrane-like structure...
   Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protobiont