DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

DIVISION OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY

San Ignacio St., Poblacion, City of San Jose del Monte 3023

General Biology 1
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Postulates of the Cell Theory

(STEM_BIO11/12-Ia-c-1)
 11

General Biology 1
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Postulates of the Cell Theory
(STEM_BIO11/12-Ia-c-1)

Department of Education • Republic of the Philippines

 FOREWORD

Learning can be both fun and interactive. So we present to you this

Learning Material that will provide valuable understanding of the topic being
presented. As a 21st century learner, this material can be your stepping stone
in achieving proficiency in the subject matter.
The elements serve as guides in your learning journey. The contents of this
learning materials, carefully prepared and developed by dedicated teachers from
various schools in the City of San Jose del Monte, provide deeper understanding.
Treat this module like a friend and it will connect you with the wonderful
world of learning. If you are excited to have fun while learning, this module is for
you.

2
 What I Need to Know

What makes you? Have you ever thought of that? Can you give an outright
answer to that question?
Surely you have heard that the cell is the fundamental unit of life. Simply
put, all living things around you are basically made of cells, life’s basic unit that
are only visible under a microscope.
Through the microscopes, we gained understanding of cells and deep
revelations into the nature of organisms. And from these come the essence of
science, the application of what we know and what we find out when we do.

Objectives: After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. trace the development of the microscope;
2. explain the importance of microscopes in the study of cells;
3. enumerate the tenets of the cell theory;
4. explain the functions of a cell in an organism; and
5. create a historical timeline of the cell theory.
Learning Competency
Explain the postulates of cell theory (STEM_BIO11/12-Ia-c-1)
 What I Know

Before you proceed, let us find out how much you already know about this topic.
On a sheet of paper, try answering the following questions by writing the letter that
corresponds to the correct answer. After taking and checking this short test, take note
of the items that you were not able to answer correctly and look for the right answer as
you go through in this module.

1. Who discovered that all plants were made of cells?

a. Anton van Leeuwenhoek c. Theodor Schwann
b. Robert Hooke d. Matthias Schleiden

2. Who stated that cell comes from pre-existing cell?

a. Matthias Schleiden c. Rudolf Virchow
b. Theodor Schwann d. Robert Hooke

3. Why did Hooke make a conclusion that the cell is an empty room?
a. The cell has nothing in it c. The cork is a dead plant part
b. His microscope has limitation d. Other parts are very small

4. All of the following are components of the cell theory, EXCEPT:

a. Cells are the basic unit of life.
b. Cells reproduce from other cells.
c. All living things are made of cells
d. Cells can only come from other cells.

5. Which of the following was essential for the development of the cell theory?
a. Telescopes c. Microwaves
b. Antiseptics d. Microscopes

6.Which tenet was proposed after studying cell reproduction?

a. Cells are the basic unit of life.
b. Cells reproduce from other cells.
c. All living things are made of cells.
d. New cells come from pre-existing cells.

7. How do cells arise from existing cells?

a. Through development c. Through reproduction
b. Through metabolism d. Through adaptability

8. Which statements explain the similarities shared by an amoeba, fungi, gumamela,

carabao, and you?
I. Cells are the basic unit of life.
II. New cells form from different cell.
III. New cells arise from pre-existing cells.
IV. All living things are composed of cells.
 a. I and II c. I, II and III
b. II and IV d. I, III and IV

6. Which two scientists came up to the theory that all living things are composed of
cells?
a. Schleiden and Schwann c. Schleiden and Virchow
b. Leeuwenhoek and Hooke d. Hooke and Virchow

7. Antoine van Leeuwenhoek is now known as the “Father of Microbiology”. Which

statements are true about his contribution to the study of cell?
I. He coined the term “animalcules”.
II. His microscope used 3-4 lens for greater magnification.
III. His curiosity led him to draw and record his observations.
IV. He developed a lens that can magnify objects up to 300x.
a. I and II c. I, III and IV
b. II and IV d. I, II and III

What’s In

“By the help of microscopes,

there is nothing so small,
as to escape our inquiry;
hence there is a new visible world
discovered to the understanding.”
- Robert Hooke

Did you ever experience using a microscope in your lower grade? Did you
enjoy your experience in Grade 8 Science where you observed a bacteria- the
probiotics or “good bacteria”- in your favorite yogurt drink? I still feel your awe,
amazement, and fascination seeing worm-like organisms wiggling. And then, you
had an impulse to look under the microscope all that you can get your hand hold
like strand of hair, ant, mosquito, leaf to name a few. Surely you still have
wishful thinking of using the microscopes again.

Let us try if you could still recall the use and function of microscope by
answering whether the statement is TRUE or FALSE. Make sure to write your
answers on your notebook.
1. The microscope is used for looking at small things.
2. It magnifies an object to look at it in detail. It may be used to look at the
anatomy of small organisms but not rocks.
3. The compound microscope uses one lens for magnification.
4. The microscope is important in biology because cells are too small to be seen
with a naked eye.

What’s New

History of Development of Microscope

The basic compound microscopes we use in our classroom have a built-in
light source and different lenses that allow you to see the structure of individual
cells of plants, animals, bacteria and yeast- things too small to be seen with the
human eye alone.

But do you wonder when and where the idea of using lenses to magnify
objects started?

During the 13th century, people became so fond of grinding glass to use
for spectacles and magnifying glasses. It was in 1590 when Dutch spectacle
makers father-and-son tandem of Hans and Zaccharias Janssen placed
different types and sizes of lenses in opposite ends of tubes and discovered that
by so doing, small objects were enlarged significantly beyond the capability of a
magnifying glass. By the discovery that an image magnified by a single lens can
be further magnified by a second or more lenses noted them as the first men to
invent the compound microscope.

In 1660, English physicist Robert Hooke began his insatiable fondness of

experiment which gave him success in a huge range of scientific fields. Among
his achievements was his publication in 1665 of Micrographia, a collection of his
exquisite drawings of the stinging hairs on a nettle, a flea, and most famously of
all, the honeycomb structure of a cork, a bark from a type of oak tree. Hooke
called these units “cells” because they looked like the cubicles (Latin, cellae)
where monks studied and prayed.
Interestingly, while Hooke did use a
compound microscope, he found that it
much strained and weakened his eyesight.
Thus for his Micrographia, he preferred to
use a simple, single lens microscope made
of gold and leather and illuminated by a
candle- a design that became the basis for
all the light microscopes that we use now.
Hooke is now widely recognized as the
English Father of Microscopy.

It was Antoine van Leeuwenhoek, a draper who wished to come up to a

very efficient tool to examine cloth who gave microscope design a new level of
sophistication in 1669. Through his experiments on new ways of grinding
lenses, he was able to improve the optical quality and eventually resulted to a
simple, single lens, hand-held microscope able to magnify objects up to 270
times, far exceedingly greater than the early compound microscope which had
20 to 30 times magnification. Through this, he was able to observe and draw
among many organisms, single-celled organisms in some lake water, scrapings
in his teeth, and sperm which he collectively termed “animalcules”.

Since the first microscope was invented, microscope manufacturers have

had to deal with two problems: the instrument’s magnification and the
sharpness of the image the instrument can produce.
Light microscopes produced magnified images by focusing visible light
rays. Compound light microscopes allow light to pass through the specimen and
use two lenses to form an image. It can produce clear images of objects at a
magnification of about 1000 times.

Today, modern electron microscopes can

magnify objects up to 500,000 times
their actual size. They are able to
produce magnified images by focusing
beams of electrons.
Transmission electron microscope (TEM) image of an isolate
from the first case of CoVID-19. Center for Disease Control
and Prevention. Retrieved 09/12/2020.
Let us try your understanding of the History of Development of Microscope
by arranging the correct sequence of the following statement from the first to
the latest event.

On your sheet of paper, write the letter that corresponds to the correct
sequence. The first one is done for you as an example.

A. Compound light microscope magnify 1000 times

B. Spectacles, wearable eyeglasses and magnifiers are produced
C. Hooke used single lens microscope illuminated by a candle
D. Zaccharias and Hans Janssen used multiple lenses in a tube
E. Leeuwenhoek developed single lens hand-held microscope able to
magnify up to 300 times
F. Electron microscopes produce images by focusing beams on
electrons.
History of Development of Microscope
1. B- Spectacles, wearable eyeglasses and magnifiers are produced
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Can you recall the significant people who contributed in the development
of microscope?
 How did microscopes contribute to understanding the cell?

What Is It
The Postulates of the Cell Theory

The study of cells can be traced way back in 1660 when Robert Hooke
using his crafted lenses, observed the cork and coined the term “cells” which he
likened to small monastery rooms whereas what he actually saw was a dead
plant cell. Without realizing his observation, he was the first person to see the
outlines of the cell, which initiated a new field of science, now called cell biology.

Antoine van Leeuwenhoek was the first person to see live cells in 1665.
Through his double-convex lens mounted on between brass plates, he made
pioneering discoveries and in protozoa, yeast, blood and capillary systems, and
the life cycle of insects.

It took almost 150 years for scientists to come up to organize a unified

theory based primarily on cell observations of Hooke and Leeuwenhoek. Worth
mentioning as well are the improvements in the microscopes into the 19th
century which were able to reveal details of the nucleus and other structures
inside the cells.

In 1838, German botanist Matthias Schleiden discovered that all plants

are composed of cells. In the following year, German zoologist Theodor Schwann
discovered that all animals are made up of cells.

German physician Rudolf Virchow studied cell reproduction and later

discovered that cells come from pre-existing cells after his work on how diseases
affect living organisms. In 1855, he summarized years of research by stating,
“Where a cell exists, there must have been a preexisting cell.”
The observations and further advanced studies of these three scientists
aggregate the cell theory, which comprises the three tenets:

a. All living things are composed of cells.

b. Cells are the basic units of structure and function in living
things.
c. New cells are produced from existing cells.

Did you learn something new? Let’s try what you learned.
Match the scientist with their contribution in the cell theory. Write the
letter in your answer sheet.
1. Robert Hooke A. plants are composed of cells
2. Antoine van Leeuwenhoek B. term “cells”
3. Matthias Schleiden C. cells come from existing cells
4. Theodor Schwann D. animals are made of cells
5. Rudolf Virchow E. animalcules

What’s More

The Cell Theory is a unifying concept showing direct relationships between

single celled organisms and all forms of life up through multicellular plants and
animals.
In what life processes can we see and apply the understanding on cell
theory? On your answer sheet, put a check (√) or an (X) beside each number.
1. Growth and development 6. Plant grafting
2. Tissue healing and repair 7. Plant propagation
3. Rock Formation 8. Tissue culture
 4. Respiration 9. Birth of new star
5. Reproduction 10. Cloning
Can you recall the tenets of cell theory? From your memory and without
looking at previous page, write the complete cell theory making sure to fill the
blanks with the correct words.
a. All ______________________ are composed of ___________.
b. Cells are the basic units of ________________ and _______________
in living things.
c. New cells are produced from ____________________ cells.
Wow, you are doing great! You were able to recall well.

Cell Function Word Search

Cells have vital functions in organisms from the simplest one-celled

organisms to a complex multi-cellular organisms like us, humans. These are:
ORGANIZATION REPRODUCTION MOVEMENT
STRUCTURE NUTRITION ADAPTABILITY GROWTH
DEVELOPMENT HOMEOSTASIS METABOLISM
On your notebook, draw a table like below and write ONLY the words at
their EXACT LOCATION in Word Search Hunt. After you find the words, give a
short explanation or definition of the word in connection with cell function.
Happy searching!
 What I Have Learned

Microscopy and Cell Theory

The earliest microscopes were considered to be a monumental

development because through its use, people at the time were able to visualize
and record their very first glimpses on things beyond what the naked eye can
visualize.
 What role did the microscope play in the cell theory?

The image below compares the resolving power of light and electron
microscope with that of the unaided human eye.

Analyze the image and make sure to answer the following questions on
your answer sheet.

1. Which organisms can be seen by a naked eye?

2. What are the thing and organisms that can be seen through
an electron microscope?
3. Which organisms can be seen by a naked eye and through a
light microscope?
4. Which is the smallest and what is the size?
5. Which single-celled organisms can be seen by a naked eye?

What I Can Do
Cell Theory Historical Timeline Activity
Create a timeline showing the chronological order of these scientists and
their contributions in the formulation of cell theory.
Robert Hooke
 Anton Van Leeuwenhoek
Matthias Schleiden
Theodor Schwann
Rudolf Virchow

Procedure:

1. On a 3”x3” colored paper, write metacards showing the dates and

the contributions of each scientist. Make sure that your handwriting is legible
and clear and scientists’ contributions are in an organized manner.
2. Paste the metacards in a long bond paper. The earliest dates should
be on the left and the most recent should be on the right.
3. Observe proper spacing showing a reasonable approximate of the
amount of time that elapsed between dates.
4. To show your understanding, draw images that will represent each
scientist’s contribution.

Timeline Grading Rubric

Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs
7 5 3 Improvement
1
The timeline
The timeline
has an
has a creative
effective title
title that The timeline The title is
that
accurately has a title that missing or
Title accurately
describes the is easy to difficult to
describes the
material and locate. locate.
material and
is easy to
is easy to
locate.
locate.

Facts were Facts were Facts were Facts were

accurate for accurate for accurate for often
Content/Facts all events almost all most (~75%) inaccurate for
reported on events of the events the events that
the timeline. reported on reported on were reported
the timeline. the timeline. on the
timeline.

All dates
At least 9-12 At least 5-8 of Less than 5 of
indicated on
of the dates the dates are the dates are
timeline are
are accurate accurate or accurate or
Accuracy correct and
or sequences sequences are sequences are
are sequenced
are in the in the proper in the proper
in the proper
proper order. order. order.
order.
 Events are Events are Events are not Events are
clearly described well, described well described
Sentence described but language and language using vague
Fluency using is sometimes is often vague language or
accurate and vague or or inaccurate. inaccurate
vivid language inaccurate. information.

All graphics All graphics Some graphics Several

are effective are effective, are effective graphics are
Graphics and balanced but there and their use not effective.
with text use. appear to be is balanced
too few or too with text use.
many.

Marginally Writing is not

Legible Writing is not
Legibility legible legible in
handwriting. legible.
handwriting. places.

The timeline The timeline

The timeline
was set up to was set up to
was set up to The time
cover the cover the
cover most of period covered
relevant time relevant time
the relevant was in
Style & period. It period. It
time period. It appropriate.
Organization contains contains
contains Yearly
appropriate yearly
appropriate divisions were
yearly gradations,
yearly not uniform.
gradations of but not at set
gradations.
set intervals intervals.

Mechanics Punctuation, Punctuation, Punctuation, There are

spelling, and spelling, and spelling, and many
capitalization capitalization capitalization punctuation,
were checked were checked are somewhat spelling, and
and are and are correct and capitalization
correct mostly may or may errors.
throughout. correct. not have been
checked.

Adherence to Followed all Followed all Followed all Followed all

Basic basic but 1 basic but 2 basic but 3 basic
Instructions instructions instruction instructions instructions

Timeliness Submitted on Submitted one Submitted two Submitted

or before day after days after three day after
deadline deadline deadline deadline
 Assessment

Let us see how well you understand the lesson by answering this part.
However, if you feel that you are not yet confident to do so, you may go back and
study the examples again. Write the letters only in your answer sheet.

1. All of the following are components of the cell theory, EXCEPT:

a. cells are the basic unit of life
b. cells reproduce from other cells
c. all living things are made of cells
d. cells can only come from existing cells

2. Why did Hooke make a conclusion that the cell is an empty room?
a. The cell has nothing in it c. The cork is a dead plant part
b. His microscope has limitation d. Other parts are very small

3. Who discovered that all plants were made of cells?

a. Anton van Leeuwenhoek c. Theodor Schwann
b. Robert Hooke d. Matthias Schleiden

4.Who stated that cell comes from pre-existing cell?

a. Matthias Schleiden c. Rudolf Virchow
b. Theodor Schwann d. Robert Hooke

5. Which tenet was proposed after studying cell reproduction?

a. Cells are the basic unit of life.
b. Cells reproduce from other cells.
c. All living things are made of cells
d. Cells can only come from pre-existing cells.

6. Which of the following was essential for the development of the cell theory?
a. Telescopes c. Microwaves
b. Antiseptics d. Microscopes

7. Which statements explain the similarities shared by an amoeba, fungi,

gumamela, carabao, and you?
I. Cells are the basic unit of life.
II. New cells form from different cell.
III. All living things are composed of cells.
IV. New cells arise from pre-existing cells.
 a. I, III and IV c. I, II and III
b. II, III and IV d. I, II and IV

8. How do cells arise from existing cells?

a. Through development c. Through reproduction
a. Through metabolism d. Through adaptability

9.Anton van Leeuwenhoek is now known as the “Father of Microbiology”. Which

statements are true about his contribution to the study of cell?
I. He coined the term “animalcules”.
II. His microscope used 3-4 lens for greater magnification.
III. His curiosity led him to draw and record his observations.
IV. He developed a lens that can magnify objects up to 300x.
a. I and II c. I, III and IV
b. II and IV d. I, II and III

10.Which two scientists came up to the theory that all living things are composed
of cells?
a. Schleiden and Schwann c. Schleiden and Virchow
b. Leeuwenhoek and Hooke d. Hooke and Virchow

Additional Activities

Low-Cost Mobile Microscope with 200x Magnification

Objectives:
1. Create a low-cost mobile microscope using a camera phone;
2. Obtain specimen of organisms used by scientists in coming up
to the cell theory; and
3. Take pictures of specimen observed.
Materials:
small focal length convex lens (can be from a laser pointer pen, CD
player, toy camera etc.)
Small black pipe (can be from case of an empty ballpen)
Glue, scissors, cello tape
 Flashlight with plastic to reduce light
Camera phone
Procedure:
1. Glue the focal lens in a very thin black pipe with the same
size hole as the spherical lens.
2. Fix the lens in the phone camera using cello tape.
3. Put whatever specimen you want to look at in the flashlight.
4. Manipulate the camera and take pictures.
5. You may use the sequence of organisms/materials the
proponents of cell theory used.
 What’s More What’s More What I Have Learned
√ a.organ
What Is It Human egg, frog egg, chicken
√ isms,
egg, ostrich egg, human
B X cells
E √ b. Atom, lipids, protein, flu virus,
A √ structur
e,
mitochondria, bacteria,
D
√ function animal cell, plant cell, human
C
√ egg, frog egg
√
X Human egg, frog egg
√
Atom 0.1 nm
Human egg, frog egg, chicken
egg, ostrich egg,
Assessment
B
C
D
C
D
D
A
C
C
A
Answer Key
 Activity Sheets in General Biology 1.Department of Education. 2016
of Education Bureau of Learning Resuorces (DepEd-BLR), 2016. p 51.
Belardo, Gisselle Millete M, et.al. General Biology 1 Textbook. Pasig City: Department
References
What’s New What’s New
What I Know
A. Hans & Zaccharias B- Spectacles, wearable
D Janssen- used multiple lenses eyeglasses and magnifiers are
C in a tube produced
C D- Zaccharias and Hans Janssen
A Robert Hooke-used single lens used multiple lenses in a tube
D illuminated by a candle C- Hooke used single lens
D
microscope illuminated by a
C Antoine van Leeuwenhoek-
D candle
used purer glass and grinding E- Leeuwenhoek developed
A
C thus improve the optical single lens hand-held
quality microscope able to magnify up
to 300 times
The microscope magnified
A- Compound light microscope
What’s In and allowed us to see things magnify 1000 times
too small for the naked eye A- Electron microscopes
True
True
thus opened up a whole new produce images by focusing
Fals microscopic world for people beams on electrons.
e to discover.
Fals
e
 This material was contextualized and localized by the
Learning Resource Management Section (LRMS)
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE

MERLINA P. CRUZ PhD, CESO VI

Officer-in-Charge
Office of the Schools Division Superintendent

ERICSON S. SABACAN PhD, CESO VI

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

ROLANDO T. SOTELO DEM

Chief, Curriculum Implementation Division

ANNALYN L. GERMAN EdD

Education Program Supervisor, LRMDS

ESPERANZA D. ESPAÑOLA
Science, Education Program Supervisor

VERLINDA M. GERMAN
Sapang Palay National High School- Senior High School
Writer/Layout Artist

LIBERTY LENZ O. ESCOBAR

San Jose del Monte National Trade School- Senior High School
Illustrator

BILLY RAY B. MANUEL

Sapang Palay National High School- Senior High School
Language Evaluator

MARY JANINE G. SELVA

Sapang Palay National High School- Senior High School
Content Evaluator

EMERSON B. SANTOS
Sapang Palay National High School- Senior High School
Lay-out Evaluator

MARY GRACE L. SAGUN

Sapang Palay National High School- Senior High School
School Learning Resource Coordinator
 For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Division of San Jose Del Monte City –

Learning Resource Management and Development Section (LRMDS)

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