History of Cell Theory

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Before exploring the history behind the development of the cell theory, it is important to acknowledge the scientist who is credited with the discovery of the cell.

The discovery of the cell is attributed to a famous scientist named Robert Hooke in the year 1665. He viewed cork cells under the microscope and was able to identify compartment like structures that he termed as “cells“.

In the year 1824, a French scientist by the name of Henri Milne-Edwards proposed that the fundamental structure of tissues was made up of a chain or cluster of globules that also have physiological importance.

Later, two other scientists, Henri Dutrochet and Francois Raspail proposed that new cells are generated from the inside of old cells. Although this statement forms a part of the cell theory, the mechanism proposed by the scientists with regards to cell regeneration, were incorrect.

Another French scientist, in the year 1832 by the name of Barthelemy Dumortier observed and explained the process of binary fission, and further went on to reject the previous popular notions that cells arise from within old cells or that they are spontaneously generated.

The cell theory, as we know it today was formulated in the years 1838 and 1839. German Scientist Matthias Schleiden studied plant cells and postulated that every living thing is made up of cells or the product of cells.

He proposed that new cells arise from a crystallization method from old cells or from elsewhere. The following year, in 1839, Theodor Schwann put forth his proposal with regards to animal cells, postulating that every element in animals is made up of cells or their products.

Nineteen years later, Rudolph Virchow completed the cell theory by providing the final postulate, which states that every cell is generated from pre-existing cells.

In the year 1839, Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann were credited with the development of the cell theory. Another German scientist named Rudolph Virchow also contributed towards the formulation of this theory. However, he is not credited for it. Schleiden and Schwann suggested that cells were the basic unit of life.

348 words

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Vocabulary

https://www.dictionary.com/

cork / kɔrk / : the outer bark of an oak, Quercus suber, used for making stoppers for bottles, floats, etc.

cluster / ˈklʌs tər / : a number of things of the same kind, growing or held together; a bunch

statement / ˈsteɪt mənt / : something stated, a communication or declaration in speech or writing, ...

forth / fɔrθ, foʊrθ / : forward; onward; ahead: in or to the front; in advance of; before

acknowledge / ækˈnɒl ɪdʒ / : to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of

arise / əˈraɪz / : to get up ; rise ; to awaken ; wake up ; to move upward; mount; ascend ;

Question

After presenting the document and its contents, answer the following question: what are the tree postulates of the cell theory ?