| Major Events in the Development of Cell Theory |
1665
1676
1683
1831
1839
1860's
20th
Century
1676
1683
1831
1839
1860's
20th
Century
Robert Hooke is the first
person to describe a cell.
He identified little chambers
in plants that he called ‘cells’
because they reminded him
of monks’ cells. Hooke
calculated that a one-inch
square of cork would
contain 1,259,712,000 of
these tiny cells. This was
the first time in science that
such a very large number
had ever appeared.
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (a technical genius at microscope lens making) from
Holland reported finding ‘animalcules’ in a sample of pepper-water.
Leeuwenhoek had found protozoa, and he calculated that there were 8,280,000
of them in a single drop of water. Apparently the world teemed with life in ways
no-one had previously expected.
Leeuwenhoek discovered bacteria.
A Scotsman named Robert Brown discovered the nucleus.
Theodor Schwann, a German, realised that all living
matter is cellular.
Unfortunately Schwann’s discovery wasn’t widely accepted
until the 1860’s when Louis Pasteur in France proved
conclusively that life cannot arise spontaneously but must
come from pre-existing cells. This belief become known
as ‘cell theory’ and it is the basis of all modern biology.
The continued development of microscope technology
allows us to now see cells at magnifications above 200,000 times with the use
of transmission electron microscopes and scanning electron microscopes.
person to describe a cell.
He identified little chambers
in plants that he called ‘cells’
because they reminded him
of monks’ cells. Hooke
calculated that a one-inch
square of cork would
contain 1,259,712,000 of
these tiny cells. This was
the first time in science that
such a very large number
had ever appeared.
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (a technical genius at microscope lens making) from
Holland reported finding ‘animalcules’ in a sample of pepper-water.
Leeuwenhoek had found protozoa, and he calculated that there were 8,280,000
of them in a single drop of water. Apparently the world teemed with life in ways
no-one had previously expected.
Leeuwenhoek discovered bacteria.
A Scotsman named Robert Brown discovered the nucleus.
Theodor Schwann, a German, realised that all living
matter is cellular.
Unfortunately Schwann’s discovery wasn’t widely accepted
until the 1860’s when Louis Pasteur in France proved
conclusively that life cannot arise spontaneously but must
come from pre-existing cells. This belief become known
as ‘cell theory’ and it is the basis of all modern biology.
The continued development of microscope technology
allows us to now see cells at magnifications above 200,000 times with the use
of transmission electron microscopes and scanning electron microscopes.
| Factual information contained on this page: Mudie, K. & Brotherton, J. (2000). Heinemann Biology, Heinemann. Bryson, B. (2003). A Short History of Nearly Everything. Black Swan. |
| Using the information found here as well as on the Cell Theory website, please complete the questions in the Check Your Knowledge section. |
| 3MV (3 million volt) transmission electron microscope at Osaka University. The microscope is over 12 metres high. from: Osaka University, Japan. |
| Robert Hooke and his microscope from: www.critical.ru/calendar/1807hook.htm |
| University of Canberra IT and Education Nick Moss & Greg Tompos October 2005 |
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| Cork cells, as drawn by Hooke from: askabiologist.asu.edu/research/buildingblocks/rhooke.html |
| from: vietsciences.free.fr/biographie/biologists/leeuwenhoek.htm |
| Antoni van Leeuwenhoek from: www.digischool.nl/bioplek/images/leeuwenhoek.jpg |
| Theodor Schwann from: www.catholic-forum.com/saints/ncd05227.htm |