CHAPTER

1
Lesson 1 CELLS: THE BASIC UNITS OF LIFE
CELLS are the smallest functional
units in living things.
The discovery of microscopes
allowed the discovery of the tiny
building blocks of life called cells.

Robert Hooke’s microscope

Lesson 1 CELLS: THE BASIC UNITS OF LIFE

Zacharias Janssen 
 associated with the invention of the first 
optical telescope and is sometimes also
credited for inventing the first truly 
compound microscope.
However, the origin of the microscope, just
like the origin of the telescope, is a matter of
debate.
Lesson 1 CELLS: THE BASIC UNITS OF LIFE
Lesson 1 CELLS: THE BASIC UNITS OF LIFE
He called it cells
because they are
like hollow,
rectangular rooms.
These cells are
dead however.
In Filipino, the translation for the
word cell is sihay - “silid ng buhay”. Cork cells as seen by Hooke
Lesson 1 CELLS: THE BASIC UNITS OF LIFE
MATTHIAS
SCHLEIDEN
discovered that plants are
composed of cells (1830s)

THEODOR
SCHWANN
discovered that animals
are composed of cells
Lesson 1 CELLS: THE BASIC UNITS OF LIFE

Coined the statement

omnis cellula e cellula,
scientific theory that which means,
describes the RUDOLF “cells divide and form
properties of cells VIRCHOW new cells”.
Lesson 1 CELLS: THE BASIC UNITS OF LIFE
Lesson 1 THE CELL THEORY

1. All organisms are composed of cells.

2. The cell is the unit of structure and
function of all living things.
3. Cells arise from pre-existing cells

Cells can be cultured to produce more

cells in two ways:
 outside the organism of cell (in vitro) or
 inside the organism or cell (in vivo)
Lesson 1 THE CELL THEORY
All organisms are composed of cells.
Lesson 1 THE CELL THEORY
The cell is the unit of structure of all living things.
Lesson 1 THE CELL THEORY
The cell is the unit of function of all living things.
Lesson 1 THE CELL THEORY
Cells arise from pre-existing cells
Lesson 1 THE MODERN CELL THEORY
1. The energy of organisms is
formed in the cells.
2. Hereditary information
(DNA) is passed on from
cell to cell.
3. All cells have the basic
chemical composition.
Lesson 1 THE MODERN CELL THEORY

The energy of organisms is formed in the cells.

Lesson 1 THE MODERN CELL THEORY
Hereditary information (DNA) is passed on from cell to cell.
Lesson 1 THE MODERN CELL THEORY
All cells have the basic chemical composition.