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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 CELL THEORY
There are 3 major parts of the cell theory:

1. All living things are made of cells.

2. The cell is the most basic unit of life.
3. All cells come from other cells.

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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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 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
o Studied plant & animal cells, and was
intrigued by the similarities between the two.
o From investigating and experimenting
with plant & animal cells, Schwann was
able to determine that all animals are
made of cells!
o Schwann 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: cell theory: o came up with the name cells
1. All organisms are made of Anton Van Leeuwenhoek
cells. 1. Robert Hooke o referred to living cells called
2. Anton van Leeuwenhoek animalcules (plant & animal) after
2. All existing cells are observing a drop of pond water
produced by other living 3. Matthias Schleiden Matthias Schleiden
cells.
4. Theodor Schwann o projected plant cells are made of
3. The cell is the most basic cells
unit of life. 5. Rudolf Virchow Theodor Schwann

These three parts were o determined all animals are made of

discovered between 1665-1838.
Key Note: It took over 173 years for the
cell THEORY to be formulated, wow!
cells (1st statement of the cell theory)
Rudolf Virchow
o stated all cells come from preexisting
cells (2nd statement of the
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