Cell Theory

There are 3 major parts of the cell theory:

1. All organisms are made of cells.
2. All existing cells are produced by other living cells.
3. The cell is the most basic unit of life.
These three parts were discovered between
1665-1838.
Contributors
There are 5 contributors to the cell theory:
1. Robert Hooke
2.Anton van Leeuwenhoek
3.Matthias Schleiden
4.Theodor Schwann
5.Rudolf Virchow

Eye-Catchers
1. Robert Hooke - came up with the name cells
2. Anton Van Leeuwenhoek - referred to living cells
called animalcules (plant & animal) after observing a
drop of pond water
3. Matthias Schleiden -projected plant cells are made of
cells
4. Theodor Schwann - determined all animals are made
of cells (1st statement of the cell theory)
5. Rudolf Virchow - stated all cells come from
preexisting cells (2nd statement of the cell theory)

Note: It took over 173 years for the cell THEORY to

be formulate
Robert Hooke - English Scientist
- Used the compound microscope to observe cork.
Hooke observed that cork is composed of small, hollow
compartments.
-The parts prompted Hooke to think of small rooms
(cells) in a monastery, so he gave them the same name:
CELLS.
-Investigated cork through experimenting with the
compound microscope and came up with the name
cells!
Key Note: Hooke discovered the cell in 1665, which
started formulating the cell theory!

. Anton Van Leeuwenhoek - Dutch Tradesman

- Study new approaches for creating lenses to observe
cloth.
- Leeuwenhoek’s microscope was more powerful than
Hooke’s compound microscope.
- (1674) From investigating and experimenting with his
microscope, Leeuwenhoek became one of the first
scientists to refer to living cells when he observed an
abundant number of single-celled organisms, which he
called animalcules (plant & animal), swimming in a drop
of pond water!
Matthias Schleiden - German Scientist
- Fascinated with plant cells, Schleiden used the
compound microscope and studied plant cells.
- (1838) From investigating and experimenting with
plants, projected plant parts are made of cells!
Discussed what he observed with his dear friend,
German scientist Theodor Schwann.

Theodor Schwann- German Scientist

Studied plant & animal cells and was intrigued by the
similarities between the two.
(1839) From investigating and experimenting with plant
& animal cells, Schwann was able to determine that all
animals are made of cells!
Schwann published the 1st statement of the cell
theory: all living things are made of cells and cell
products!
Rudolf Virchow

(1838) Based on his investigations and experiments, he

stated that all cells come from preexisting cells, which
is the 2nd part of the cell theory: all existing cells are
produced by other living cells!
CELL ORGANELLE STRUCTURE FUNCTION
Nucleus Double membrane- Responsible for
bound structure controlling all
which consists of a cellular activities as
nuclear envelope, well as a center for
chromatin, and genetic materials,
nucleolus and their
transferring

Cell Membrane Consists of a - Regulates what

phospholipid can be allowed to
bilayer along with enter and exit the
two types of cell through
proteins viz. channels, acting as
embedded proteins a semi-permeable
and peripheral membrane
proteins that - Provides
function in mechanical support
providing shape that facilities the
and allowing the shape of the cell
movement of while enclosing the
particles in and out cell and its
of the cell components from
the external
environment
Mitochondrion Double membrane- Responsible for the
bound cell supply and storage
organelles which of energy for the
contains two cell
membranes with
the outer layer
being smooth while
the inner layer is
marked with
folding and finger-
like structures
called cristae
Smooth Endoplasmic Lacks ribosomes Has a function
Reticulum during lipid
synthesis

Rough Endoplasmic With ribosomes Involved in protein

Reticulum attached on the synthesis
cytosolic face of
Endoplasmic
Reticulum
Golgi Apparatus Membrane-bound Has an essential
organelle found in purpose of
eukaryotic cells directing proteins
(cells with clearly and lipids to their
defined nuclei) that destination and
is made up of a thus, act as the
series of flattened “traffic police” of
 stacked pouches the cell
called cisternae
Lysosome Membrane-bound Responsible for
organelles that intracellular
occur in the digestion where
cytoplasm of the larger
animal cell; macromolecules
granular or are degraded into
spherical smaller molecules
with the help of
enzymes present in
them
Cytoplasm Consists of a - Most of the vital
cytosol; a gel-like cellular and
substance that enzymatic
contains other reactions like
matter; cell cellular respiration
organelles; smaller and translation of
cell-like bodies mRNA into proteins
bound by separate occur in the
membranes; and cytoplasm
cytoplasmic -The process called
inclusions; cytoplasmic
insoluble molecules streaming helps in
that store energy the distribution of
and are not various nutrients
surrounded by any and facilitates the
layer. movement of cell
organelles within
the cell
Chloroplast Membrane-bound Cite of
organelles that photosynthesis.
occur in the Produces the food
cytoplasm of plant that the plants
cell. need.

Centriole and Spindle made up of 9 Helps or aids

fibers microtubules animal cell during
cell division
through producing
spindle fibers that
are attaching to the
chromosomes
during metaphase
Ribosome A ribosome is a complex molecular
complex of RNA machine found
and protein and is, inside the living
therefore, known cells that produce
as a proteins from
ribonucleoprotein. amino acids during
It is composed of a process called
two subunits – protein synthesis
smaller and larger. or translation. The
process of protein
synthesis is a
primary function,
which is performed
by all living cells.
Cell Wall Varies its maintenance of the
composition cell structure and
depending on the shape. The wall is
type of organism. rigid, so it protects
the cell and its
contents.