Cell Theory
The Cell Theory
The Cell Theory, formed by Anton van Leeuwenhoek, Robert Hooke, Matthias Schleiden, Theodore Schwann, and Rudolf Virchow, refers to the idea that cells are the basic unit of structure in every living organism. The theory justifies three principles: all living organisms are composed of one or more cells; the cell is the most basic unit of structure, function, and organization in all organisms; and all cells come from pre-existing, living cells. The formation of the cell theory started in the early 1600s, in the Netherlands, where the spectacle maker, Zacharias Jansen, invented the first compound microscope along with the first telescope. The microscope became an instant hit and everyone was buying these contraptions except for a fellow Dutchman by the name of Anton van Leeuwenhoek. Instead of buying a microscope, he decided to make one for himself. His microscope was a unique invention, indeed, with the appearance of a wooden disk connected to metal screws. After Leeuwenhoek successfully made his invention, he went to town and looked at everything he could find with his invention, even his teeth which were very dirty because they were washed rarely, if at all. He then discovered bacteria from looking at dental scrapings. When he wrote about the germs he didn’t actually call them “bacteria,” but animalcules because they looked like animals to him. While Leeuwenhoek did more research about his microscope, he also sent letters to his colleague in England, Robert Hooke. When Hooke got the letters, he was motivated to do research and examine objects with his microscope. While looking at a slice of cork, he discovered chambers which reminded him of cells which soon become the name for these compartments.
Fast-forwarding to the 1800’s, two German scientists helped tie together what is know as the cell theory. The first scientist was Matthias Schleiden from Cologne, a botanist. From his years of studying many plant species, it finally
The Cell Theory, formed by Anton van Leeuwenhoek, Robert Hooke, Matthias Schleiden, Theodore Schwann, and Rudolf Virchow, refers to the idea that cells are the basic unit of structure in every living organism. The theory justifies three principles: all living organisms are composed of one or more cells; the cell is the most basic unit of structure, function, and organization in all organisms; and all cells come from pre-existing, living cells. The formation of the cell theory started in the early 1600s, in the Netherlands, where the spectacle maker, Zacharias Jansen, invented the first compound microscope along with the first telescope. The microscope became an instant hit and everyone was buying these contraptions except for a fellow Dutchman by the name of Anton van Leeuwenhoek. Instead of buying a microscope, he decided to make one for himself. His microscope was a unique invention, indeed, with the appearance of a wooden disk connected to metal screws. After Leeuwenhoek successfully made his invention, he went to town and looked at everything he could find with his invention, even his teeth which were very dirty because they were washed rarely, if at all. He then discovered bacteria from looking at dental scrapings. When he wrote about the germs he didn’t actually call them “bacteria,” but animalcules because they looked like animals to him. While Leeuwenhoek did more research about his microscope, he also sent letters to his colleague in England, Robert Hooke. When Hooke got the letters, he was motivated to do research and examine objects with his microscope. While looking at a slice of cork, he discovered chambers which reminded him of cells which soon become the name for these compartments.
Fast-forwarding to the 1800’s, two German scientists helped tie together what is know as the cell theory. The first scientist was Matthias Schleiden from Cologne, a botanist. From his years of studying many plant species, it finally