Discovery of Cell


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Discovery of Cell

Robert Hooke (1665) while examining a thin slice of cork under the primitive microscope, observed that cork consists of small box like structure resembling honeycomb. He called these boxes 'cells'. The substance called cork comes from the bark of a tree. The use of word "Cell" to describe these units is used till today in biology. Cell is a Latin word for 'a little room'. The ordinary compound microscope of today is a greatly improved design of the original Hooke's microscope.

Antony van Leeuwenhoek(1632 - 1723) was an ordinary public official who ground lenses and made microscope observations as  a hobby. He examined pond water in 1674, and observed dozens of protists which he called 'animalcules,' as well as Spirogyra or Green algae.

These discoveries helped us to understand different characteristics of cells. Some of these characteristics are :-

  • They have the ability to replicate independently.
  • They contain hereditary information.
  • They can perform all the life sustaining activities in their own.
  • They show similar chemical composition and metabolic activities.
  • In 1838, Matthias Schleiden , a German Botanist, announced that every plant is made up of a large number of cells and each of these cells performed various life processes. A year later, Theodor Schwann, a German Zoologist, made similar discoveries in animals. These discoveries of two different scientists ultimately got published as Cell Theory in `1839.

    Rudolf Virchow in 1858 made an addition to the cell theory by saying that all cells arise from pre - existing cells.

    According to Cell Theory :-

  • All living things are composed of one or more cells.
  • Cells are the basic structural and functional unit in living things.
  • All cells arise from pre - existing cells by cell division.
  • Cells have similar structure and metabolism.
  •                                                     

    Sample Questions
    (More Questions for each concept available in Login)
    Question : 1

    The term protoplasm has been coined by ____________________ .

    Right Option : D
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    Explanation
    Question : 2

    Name the scientist who discovered cell _______________

    Right Option : A
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    Explanation
    Question : 3

    ________________ propounded cell theory.

    Right Option : C
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    Explanation
     
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