CELL THEORY

A Brief History

Robert Hooke named the cell [1665] based on observations of the

cell walls of cork tissue

Anton van Leeuwenhoek documented unicellular organisms based on observations of protozoa [1673] and bacteria [1683]

Paramecium - Protocista

Amoeba - Protocista

Matthias Schleiden proposed that cells were the fundamental units of plants based on observations of plant tissue [1838]

Plant cells

t Cell

Theodor Schwann proposed that cells were the fundamental units of animals based on observations of animal tissue [1839]

Blood

Sperm

Schleiden and Schwann are credited as the founders of The Cell Theory [1839]
All living things are made of cells. Cells exhibit the fundamental characteristics of life:

Obtain energyphotosynthesis, chemosynthesis, or digestion Use energyrespire Excrete Waste Show Order Homeostasis Evolve Reproduce Move Respond to changes in environment Grow and repair damage to self

The development of the Cell Theory involved the input of numerous individuals from various nationalities over many years

Rudolph Virchow stated omnis cellula a cellula [all cells arise from pre-existing cells based on observations of dividing cells [1855]

Rudolph Virchow stated omnis cellula a cellula [all cells arise from pre-existing cells based on observations of dividing cells [1855]

The Cell Theory was modified to incorporate Virchows work

All organisms are made of cells Cells are the smallest structural and functional unit of an

organism [that carries out the life processes]

All cells come from pre-existing cells

And, what about viruses?

Are not composed of cells but

consist of a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) in a protein coat processes (although with help, not independently)

Yet conduct all of the cell

SO:
Could there be an organism that does not contain a single cell? Might there be some other fundamental unit of life? At least, in

some cases?

Are the life processes sufficient criteria to distinguish between

the living and the non-living?

Microscopes

Max magnification X1000 Max Resolution 0.2um

Max magnification X1000,000 Max Resolution 0.5nm

Microscopic measurements
mm millimeters m micrometer nm - nanometers 1m = 1000mm = 1000,000m= 1000,000,000nm

Comaparison of Light and Electron Microscopes

Light Microscope

Human Cheek Cell

Nerve Cells

Transmission Electron Microscope

Plant Cell

Mitochondrion

Scanning Electron Microscope

Human Sperm

Insect Head

Sizes of Biological Structures

Thickness of leaf O.5mm

Paramecium
Sharp end of pin Plant cell

200m
100 m 40m

Animal cell
Mitochondrion Bacterium Ribosome DNA molecule Hydrogen atom

20m
1m 0.5-1m 20nm 2nm 0.04nm

Red and White Blood Cells

S.E. M

Light Microscope