The Discovery of Cells
What are cells?
- The basic units of structure and function in living things
- Structure – building blocks, shape is important
- Function - tiny factories, cells have specific jobs – digestive, muscular, immune system, circulation, the heart, nerve cells
The following individuals were instrumental in developing what we now call "the cell theory
Robert Hooke (1665)
- English scientist
- looked at a thin slice of cork (oak cork) through a compound microscope
- observed tiny, hollow, roomlike structures
- called these structures 'cells' because they reminded him of the rooms that monks lived in
- only saw the outer walls (cell walls) because cork cells are not alive
- Anton van Leeuwenhoek (around the same time as Hooke 1680?)
- Dutch fabric merchant and amateur scientist
- looked at blood, rainwater, scrapings from teeth through a simple microscope (1 lens)
- observed living cells; called some 'animalcules'
- some of the small 'animalcules' are now called bacteria
- Matthias Schleiden (1838)
- German botanist
- viewed plant parts under a microscope
- discovered that plant parts are made of cells
- Theodor Schwann (1839)
- German zoologist
- viewed animal parts under a microscope
- discovered that animal parts are made of cells
- Rudolph Virchow (1855)
- German physician
- stated that all living cells come only from other living cells
Accompanying CK12 Lessons
Discovery of Cells Powtoon Group activity
Using Powtoon, create a cartoon depicting the people and methods used to discover cells. Work with 1-2 other people and be ready to share your cartoon with the rest of the class.
- Powtoon is a free web tool used to create animated presentations and videos. Users can insert characters, words, special effects, pictures, and animaton. There is also a feature for recording voice overs and adding music.
- http://www.powtoon.com/
The Discovery of Cells Quiz
Use the link below to access a short quiz about the discovery of cells. You can also access the quiz on the assessments tab above.
https://docs.google.com/a/csp.edu/forms/d/1KSpYzdvhFotQ2FLQJhLac1F6x753UtJTJFh8nxvsrW8/viewform
https://docs.google.com/a/csp.edu/forms/d/1KSpYzdvhFotQ2FLQJhLac1F6x753UtJTJFh8nxvsrW8/viewform