Discoveries of

the Cell Theory

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 How it all started 
Anton Van What is a
Romans Leeuwenhoek Theory?
When Romans He figured how to grind A set of principles
discovered they were glass together and developed over time via
able to make glass in the decided to experiment. multiple investigations.
1st century BC, things Leeuwenhoek made his The discovery of the cell
changed for the better! own 270x magnification was made through the
compound microscope! invention of the
Today, microscopes microscope between
magnifications range 1665-1838.
from 200x-10,000,000x
magnification.

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 DAY 1 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.

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 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
Each of the above contributors produced evidence through
investigations and experiments that led to today’s cell
theory!
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 HOME LEARNING
Review all notes taken in your interactive notebook in
class today!

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 DAY 2 BELL-RINGER !
1. The cell theory is composed of how many parts?

2. How many contributors help compile today’s cell

theory?

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 ROBERT HOOKE English Scientist
o Used the compound microscope to observe cork.
o Hooke observed that cork is composed of small,
hollow compartments.
o The parts prompted Hooke to think of small rooms
(cells) in a monastery, so he gave them the same name:
CELLS.
o 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!
https://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_
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CORK
https://
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cork_oa
k_trunk_section.jpg
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MONASTERY

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 HOOKE’S
INVESTIGATION/EXPERIMENT

Hooke’s Observations Hooke’s Microscope

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hooke https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hooke
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ANTON VAN LEEUWENHOEK
Dutch Tradesman
o Study new approaches for creating lenses to
observe cloth.
o Leeuwenhoek’s microscope was more
powerful than Hooke’s compound microscope.
o 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!
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 LEEUWENHOEK’S
INVESTIGATIONS/EXPERIMENT
Leeuwenhoek’s Observations Leeuwenhoek’s Microscope

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MATTHIAS SCHLEIDEN
German Scientist
o Fascinated with plant cells, Schleiden used the
compound microscope and studied plant cells.
o From investigating and experimenting with
plants, projected plant parts are made of
cells!
o Discussed what he observed with his dear
friend, German scientist Theodor Schwann.

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THEODOR SCHWANN
German Scientist
oStudied plant & animal cells, and was
intrigued by the similarities between the two.
oFrom investigating and experimenting
with plant & animal cells, Schwann was
able to determine that all animals are
made of cells!
oSchwann published the 1st statement of the
cell theory: all living things are made of cells
and cell products!

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RUDOLF VIRCHOW
oBased 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!
Key Note: After Virchow’s completed his
work, the cell theory was finally formulated in
1838!
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 RECAP
Cell Theory Contributors Eye-Catchers
There are 3 major parts of the cell There are 5 contributors to the Robert Hooke
theory: o came up with the name cells
cell theory:
1. All organisms are made of Anton Van Leeuwenhoek
cells. 1. Robert Hooke o referred to living cells called animalcules
(plant & animal) after observing a drop
2. All existing cells are 2. Anton van Leeuwenhoek of pond water
produced by other living 3. Matthias Schleiden Matthias Schleiden
cells. o projected plant cells are made of
4. Theodor Schwann cells
3. The cell is the most basic
unit of life. 5. Rudolf Virchow Theodor Schwann
o determined all animals are made of cells
These three parts were (1st statement of the cell theory)
discovered between 1665-1838. Rudolf Virchow
Key Note: It took over 173 years for the
o stated all cells come from preexisting
cell THEORY to be formulated, wow! cells (2nd statement of the cell theory)
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 DAY 2
EXIT TICKET

1. Name the 3 major parts of the cell theory.

2. Name the 5 contributors of the cell theory.

The wacky history of cell theory - Lauren Royal-Woods (TED-Ed)

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