Zoology Lecture 3

Cells as unit of life

1.) Cell concept

The classical cell theory was proposed by Theodor Schwann in 1839. There are three parts to
this theory. The first part states that all organisms are made of cells. The second part states that cells
are the basic units of life. These parts were based on a conclusion made by Schwann and Matthias
Schleiden in 1838, after comparing their observations of plant and animal cells. The third part, which
asserts that cells come from preexisting cells that have multiplied, was described by Rudolf Virchow in
1858, when he stated omnis cellula e cellula (all cells come from cells).

Since the formation of classical cell theory, technology has improved, allowing for more detailed
observations that have led to new discoveries about cells. These findings led to the formation of the
modern cell theory, which has three main additions: first, that DNA is passed between cells during cell
division; second, that the cells of all organisms within a similar species are mostly the same, both
structurally and chemically; and finally, that energy flow occurs within cells.

the term Protoplasm to describe cell

contents. It was first described as a granular,
gel-like mixture with special and elusive life
properties of its own; cells were viewed as
bags of thick soup containing a nucleus cell’s
interior is composed.

Organelle - is a subcellular structure that has

one or more specific jobs to perform in the
cell.

How do we study Cells?

Cells vary in size. With few exceptions, individual cells are too small to be seen with the naked
eye, so scientists use microscopes to study them. A microscope is an instrument that magnifies an
object. Most images of cells are taken with a microscope and are called micrographs.

Light microscope

Electron microscope - In contrast to light microscopes, electron microscopes use a beam of electrons
instead of a beam of light.