Cell Theory and
the Scientists
Who Helped Shape
It
The Cell
• The smallest unit that can perform
all life processes
• growth
• reproduction
• taking in energy
• eliminating waste
• reacting to its environment
Theory- definition
In everyday use, a theory is a hunch or
speculation which is usually unproven and
untested.
In science, a theory is a widely accepted
explanation of a phenomenon in nature, which
has been supported by a vast amount of
evidence.
Theories are based on facts (observations or
measurements)
Scientists and
the Cell Theory
The Cell Theory
1.
2.
3.
All living things are made of
cells.
Cells are the basic units of
structure and function in living
things.
All cells come from pre-existing,
living cells.
Anton van Leeuwenhoek
• 1632-1723
• Leeuwenhoek made his
own microscopes, which
had much stronger
lenses than other
microscopes of the time
(270x magnification vs.
50x)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_van_Leeuwenhoek
Anton van Leeuwenhoek
Leeuwenhoek was the
first to discover bacteria
(from his own dental
plaque), microorganisms
like Protozoans (singlecelled organisms from
pond water), red blood
cells, and more.
Robert Hooke
• 1635-1703
• Observed insects,
sponges, feathers and
other items with his
compound microscope.
• Discovered plant cells
and coined the term 'cell'
http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/PictDisplay/Hooke.html
Robert Hooke
Hooke used a
microscope to
examine a thin slice of
cork. He saw what
looked like small
boxes- he called them
'cells' , because they
reminded him of the
bare rooms monks
lived in.
‘Cell’ = ‘little room’ in
Latin
Hooke’s drawing of cork cells,
1665
Robert Hooke
Matthias Schleiden
• 1804- 1881
• German botanist who
discovered that all
plants were made of
cells
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article9066147/Mathias-Jacob-Schleiden
Theodor Schwann
• 1810- 1882
• German zoologist who
discovered that all animals
are made of cells.
Robert Remak
● 1815-1865
● Remak was a Polish
Jewish scientists who
discovered convincing
evidence that cells
reproduce by cell
division.
● Because of his Jewish
faith, there was great
reluctance to accept his
work
Rudolph Virchow
• 1821-1902
• German doctor who
accepted and plagiarized
Remak’s work showing
that all living cells come
only from other living
cells.
• Helped disprove
spontaneous generationthe idea that living things
could be produced from
non-living matter