Current Interpretation of Modern Cell Theory

Modern Cell theory is more simply an expansion that have taken into
consideration in the knowledge of Molecular Biology, Biochemistry ,
Genetics. Scientists, biologists, researchers and scholars, though still
using the fundamental tenets of cell theory, conclude the following on the
modern interpretation of cell theory:
1. The Energy Flows within cells
Cells uses energy in so many ways even to keep shape and for the organization
and most importantly to function.
In all living cells there is what you call the continual transformation of energy from
one type to another. Since energy cannot be created nor destroyed but can simply be
changed from one form to another according to the first law of Thermodynamics, which
is the LAW OF CONSERVATION, that we actually had last semester. Energy can be
present in a form of light, heat, chemical and kinetic energy. All living cells uses energy
for movement of life.

Multiple biochemical reactions happen inside the cell. When combined, these
reactions make up the cell's metabolism. During this process, some chemical bonds in
the reactive molecules get broken, and the cell takes in energy. When new chemical
bonds develop to make products, this releases energy in the cell. Exergonic reactions
occur when the cell releases energy to its surroundings, forming stronger bonds than
the ones broken. In endergonic reactions, energy comes into the cell from its
surroundings, creating weaker chemical bonds than the ones broken.

Example:
Sperms
Sperms needs energy to sustain motility to perform sperm function while egg cell
needs molecules to get development started, and needs energy to power development
and food to supply the raw materials for development. Mid-piece of flagellum are the
sites of energy production. Sperm motility is described as the ability of sperm to move
properly through the female reproductive tract or through water to reach the egg.
Sperm motility can also be thought of as the quality, which is a factor in successful
conception.

Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is where plants convert light energy into chemical energy, where
both plants and animal cell convert glucose into energy. Light energy is being trapped
by the green pigment Chlorophyll (which is also known as the mesophyll cells) which
is found in the organelles called chloroplast and converts light energy into chemical
energy to make sugar, starch and oxygen.

*WE MUST keep in mind that any change requires energy for a thing to happen.
 2. All Cells Contain a Form of DNA

Life depends on the ability of cells to store, retrieve and translate the genetic instructions
required to make and maintain a living organism. This hereditary information is passed on cell
to its daughter cell at the cell division and from one generation of an organism through the
next organism reproductive cells.
To reproduce, a cell must have some form of deoxyribonucleic acid, the self-
replicating substance present in all living organisms as the essential elements of
chromosomes. As DNA is the carrier of genetic data, the information stored in the original
cell's DNA duplicates in daughter cells. The DNA provides a blueprint for the final
development of the cell, or in the case of eukaryotic cells in the plant and animal kingdoms,
for example, the blueprint for the multicellular life form. When a cell divides , it will pass on a
copy of DNA to each of its daughter cells. DNA is also passed on at the level of organisms with
the DNA in sperm and egg cells combining t form a new organism that has genetic material
from both its parents.

Example:
In our class we already have classmates who have family of their own but those who are
still singles now, the time will come to us to have our own family and child. So don’t you
worry. So in connection to this, In the future when we get to have our own kids, we might see
or notice a trait that our child exhibits which are similar to something we or our partner
posses, know that this isn’t something just a random coincidence, that’s because of our DNA.
Traits are inherited and passed from parent to child through their genes or DNA that actually
happened during the development of the cell (our baby) . We might notice that our child
looks liker his father or mother or some would say the our child looks similar with their
grandfather/grandmother/aunts/uncles and also has the same pattern of sleeping style ( like
nakulob, or kilikid), being left-handed, or alcoholic(when he grows up) or even worse inherits
the inheritable diseases. Because in Genetics there is what we call the Mendelian Pattern of
Inheritance.

3. All cells have the same basic chemical composition.

These essential elements are found in the periodic table. The acronym
CHNOPS, which stands for Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus and
Sulphur, represents the six most important chemical elements whose covalent
combinations make up most biological molecules. All of these elements are non-
metals forming Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids. As what you can see
all these elements can be found on all of these biomolecules which are the
fundamental building block of all cells while CELLS are fundamental building
blocks of living organisms. Don’t be confused. hehe
The Cell Theory has been updated to include findings based on more recent findings.

Key Dates of Cell Theory

Prior to 1665, most humans were unaware that the microscopic world existed.

1665 Robert Hooke

But that year, Robert Hooke the first person to observe cells when he looks at a slice of cork in a
microscope and published his groundbreaking Micrographia—a book that revealed this
previously unseen and unknown world. While observing cork through his microscope, Hooke
saw tiny boxlike cavities, which he illustrated and described as cells. He had discovered plant
cells! Hooke’s discovery led to the understanding of cells as the smallest units of life—the
foundation of cell theory.

1665 Francesco Redi

Francesco Redi was able to disprove the theory that maggots could be spontaneously
generated from meat using a controlled experiment. Spontaneous generation, the
theory that life forms can be generated from inanimate objects, had been around since
at least the time of Aristotle. 

1670 Antoine van Leeuwenhoek

Anton Van Leeuwenhoek's single most important discovery was the existence of single-cell
organisms. While using a microscope to examine pond water in 1674, he observed dozens
of protists, which he called 'animalcules,' as well as spirogyra, or green algae. That begins his
work developing better microscopes that allow scientists to see cells and the organelles they contain
more clearly.

1839 Matthias Schleiden & Theodor Schwann

describe the first two parts of the cell theory. Schleiden stated that all plants are made up of cells, while
Schwann stated all animals are made up of cells. Schleiden and Schwann are generally credited as the
developers of cell theory.
1855 Rudolf Virchow

He described the third part of cell theory, that all cells come from existing cells.
In 1855 Virchow published a statement based on his observations Omnis cellula e cellula, which
means that all cells arise from pre-existing cells. This was not a new theory. A scientist by the name
of Robert Remak had written about it, but it was the first time it received any attention and created a
landmark in modern biology.