While much attention and effort has focused on the prebiotic formation of such molecules as amino and nucleic acids, the formation of a reproducing cellular entity in a prebiotic environment constitutes a gap seldom addressed in the scientific literature. Indeed, the gap between simple organic molecules and a reproducing cell is vastly greater than that envisioned by most researchers in origin of life studies. The nature and complexity of known cells suggests that the simplest conceivable cellular form is far too complex to be a product of known prebiotic mechanisms. From directing metabolic processes to maintaining osmotic stasis, all would be necessary functions of the first cell.