Chapter 1: Cell

Lesson 1: Cell Theory

1597
Hans Janssen and his son, Zacharias Janssen-invented the first prototype compound optical
microscope.

17th century
Robert Hooke- an English scientist and a mechanical genius; improved the microscope. English
Father of Microscopy.
He observed a cork bottle under a microscope and found empty compartments. The cell
reminded him of the rooms inside the monastery and called it “cella” a latin term for rooms. However,
he only saw cell remnants (dead plant cells) and not the entire cell itself. He then wrote a book
“Micrographia” where he had drawings of fleece and lice.

1665
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek- a Dutch maker of microscopes; made his own microscope. His
microscope was capable of giving 270 times magnification. He paved way for the development of the
world’s first practical microscope.
He was inspired by Hooke’s work. He was the first to discover “bacteria” by observing his
own dental scrapings. He called the cells “animalcules” for the bacteria looked like animals. He is now
called the Father of Modern Microbiology.
He pioneered on discoveries of protozoa, red blood cells, capillary systems and the life cycle
of insects.

Thus, the first tenet of Cell theory was concluded: The cell is the basic unit of structure in life.

Robert Koch-a German physician microbiologist discovered two infectious bacteria, tubercle and
cholera.

1831
Robert Brown- a Scottish scientist
Discovered Nucleus. He described it as an opaque spot in the middle of all cells.
1839
Matthias Schleiden- a German botanist
Discovered that all plants are made of cells.

Theodor Schwann-a Belgian scientist

Discovered that all animals have cells. He observed nerve cells from different animal cells.
The Schwann cell was named after him. The Schwann cell is found inside our nerve cells or neurons.

Thus, the second tenet of Cell theory was concluded: All living things are composed of cells.
The beginning of the Modern Cell Theory.

1857
Rodulph Virchow- a German scientist
Schleiden believed that cell came from “Free Cell Fomation”. He believed cell just
spontaneously exist. Virchow however disprove this claiming that all cells came from other cells.
Virchow developed the Cell theory and is known as the Father of Pathology.

During the 1400s, people believed that life came from non-living matter or life had a spontaneous
regeneration. To disprove this claim, Virchow presented that the bacteria undergoes Binary Fission.
On which the bacteria divides into the same replica of the original cell. He even called this event as
“Ominis Cellula e Cellula” meaning “All cells come from cells”. It was then proven by Pastuer.

1860’s
Louis Pasteur- French biologist
Claimed the abiogenesis theory by his famous swan-neck flask experiment. He subsequently
proposed that “life only comes from life.”
Thus, the third tenet of Cell theory was concluded: All cells come from pre existing cells.

“When you feel sad remember that there are billions of cells in your body and all they care about is
you.”

Prepared By:
Cindy Michele M. Moneva, RN, LPT
Subject Facilitator

Source:
General Biology 1 (Faltado, Ruben; Paz de Leon, Reneecilia; Lopez, Merle)
General Biology 1 for Senior High School (Evangelista, Luisito T.)