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The Cell Theory

The document outlines the history and development of cell theory, beginning with Robert Hooke's discovery of cells in 1665 and the contributions of Anton van Leeuwenhoek. It details the advancements made in the 19th century, leading to the establishment of the cell theory, which states that all organisms are composed of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all cells arise from preexisting cells. Modern cell theory expands on these principles, emphasizing the role of DNA and the uniformity of cellular functions.

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160 views13 pages

The Cell Theory

The document outlines the history and development of cell theory, beginning with Robert Hooke's discovery of cells in 1665 and the contributions of Anton van Leeuwenhoek. It details the advancements made in the 19th century, leading to the establishment of the cell theory, which states that all organisms are composed of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all cells arise from preexisting cells. Modern cell theory expands on these principles, emphasizing the role of DNA and the uniformity of cellular functions.

Uploaded by

ashem1056
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The Cell Theory

Some Random Cell Facts


 The average human being is
composed of around 100 Trillion
individual cells!!!
 It would take as many as 50 cells
to cover the area of a dot on the
letter “i”

WOW!!!
Discovery of Cells
 1665- English Scientist, Robert Hooke,
discovered cells while looking at a thin slice of
cork.
 He described the cells as tiny boxes or a
honeycomb
 He thought that cells only existed in plants and
fungi
Anton van Leuwenhoek
 1673- Used a handmade microscope to
observe pond scum & discovered single-celled
organisms
 He called them “animalcules”

 He also observed blood cells from fish, birds,


frogs, dogs, and humans
 Therefore, it was known that cells are found in
animals as well as plants
150-200 Year Gap???
 Between the Hooke/Leuwenhoek
discoveries and the mid 19th century,
very little cell advancements were
made.
 This is probably due to the widely
accepted, traditional belief in
Spontaneous Generation.
 Examples:
-Mice from dirty clothes/corn husks
-Maggots from rotting meat
19th Century Advancement
 Much doubt existed around Spontaneous
Generation
 Conclusively disproved by Louis Pasteur
Pasteur: Ummm, I
don’t think so!!!
?
=

+
Development of Cell
Theory
 1838- German Botanist, Matthias
Schleiden, concluded that all plant parts
are made of cells
 1839- German physiologist, Theodor
Schwann, who was a close friend of
Schleiden, stated that all animal tissues
are composed of cells.
Development of Cell
Theory
 1858- Rudolf Virchow, German
physician, after extensive study of
cellular pathology, concluded that cells
must arise from preexisting cells.
The Cell Theory Complete
 The 3 Basic Components of the Cell
Theory were now complete:
 1. All organisms are composed of one or
more cells. (Schleiden & Schwann)(1838-
39)
 2. The cell is the basic unit of life in all
living things. (Schleiden & Schwann)(1838-
39)
 3. All cells are produced by the division of
preexisting cells. (Virchow)(1858)
Modern Cell Theory
 Modern Cell Theory contains 4 statements,
in addition to the original Cell Theory:
 The cell contains hereditary information(DNA)
which is passed on from cell to cell during cell
division.
 All cells are basically the same in chemical
composition and metabolic activities.
 All basic chemical & physiological functions
are carried out inside the cells.(movement,
digestion,etc)
 Cell activity depends on the activities of sub-
cellular structures within the cell(organelles,
nucleus, plasma membrane)
How Has The Cell Theory Been
Used?

 The basic discovered truths about cells,


listed in the Cell Theory, are the basis
for things such as:
 Disease/Health/Medical Research and
Cures(AIDS, Cancer, Vaccines, Cloning, Stem
Cell Research, etc.)
Some Parting Thoughts
 It is amazing to think that the cells that
make up our bodies are just as alive as
we are. Humans are just an intricately
designed community of cells, which
must work together to survive
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