The microscopes we use today are far more complex than those first microscopes like the one used in the 1600s by Anton van Leeuwenhoek. Despite the limitations of his simple microscope, van Leeuwenhoek observed some cells he termed "animalcules." Robert Hooke then coined the term "cell" for the box-like structures he observed when viewing cork tissue through a lens. Later advances in lenses, microscope construction, and staining techniques enabled other scientists to see some components inside cells. Just as the microscope has been a work in progress with advances that have led to our current technology, so the cell theory changed as new discoveries changed the understanding of cells.
Which of these contributed to the cell theory? Select ALL that apply.
Select 3 correct answer(s)
Question 13 options:
Rudolf Virchow proved that cells come from preexisting cells.
Theodor Schwann discovered that animals are composed of cells.
Robert Brown discovered the nucleus of plant cells.
Matthias Schleiden discovered that plants are made of cells.
Karl Rudolphi conducted experiments that proved cells had their own cell walls.
Rudolf Virchow proved that cells come from preexisting cells.
Theodor Schwann discovered that animals are composed of cells.
Matthias Schleiden discovered that plants are made of cells.
The correct answers are:
- Theodor Schwann discovered that animals are composed of cells.
- Matthias Schleiden discovered that plants are made of cells.
- Rudolf Virchow proved that cells come from preexisting cells.
The correct answers are:
1. Rudolf Virchow proved that cells come from preexisting cells.
2. Theodor Schwann discovered that animals are composed of cells.
3. Matthias Schleiden discovered that plants are made of cells.
To determine the correct answers, we need to understand the contributions of each scientist to the cell theory.
1. Rudolf Virchow contributed to the cell theory by proposing that cells can only arise from preexisting cells. This concept, known as cell division or biogenesis, challenged the earlier belief in spontaneous generation.
2. Theodor Schwann discovered that animals are composed of cells, adding evidence to the understanding that cells are the fundamental units of all living organisms.
3. Matthias Schleiden discovered that plants are made of cells, providing further evidence for the cell theory and extending its applicability to the plant kingdom.
Robert Brown's discovery of the nucleus of plant cells and Karl Rudolphi's experiments on cell walls are significant contributions to our understanding of cells but not specifically related to the formulation of the cell theory. Therefore, they are not part of the correct answers for this question.