Cell Theory STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF CELLS:
Discovery of Cells Cells were discovered with the invention of the MICROSCOPE in the early 17 th century Scientists: Robert Hooke Cork; full of little boxes Reminded him of small rooms... Cells! Dead plant cells Anton Van Leeuwenhoek 1632 – 1723 Dutch, made microscopes Living Cells
Cells The smallest unit of matter that can carry out all the processes of life
Matthias Schleiden (1838), ALL PLANTS are composed of cells Theodor Schwann (1839), ALL ANIMALS are composed of cells Rudolf Virchow (1855), cells come ONLY from other cells Gathering Evidence for the Cell Theory
Development of the cell theory 1. All living things are composed of one or more cells 2. Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in an organism 3. Cells come from the reproduction of existing cells.