Lesson 1.

Cell Theory

General Biology 1[1/2]

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
 Have you ever
wondered how cells
were discovered and
how they govern the
mechanisms of our
day-to-day activities?
2 2
 One brick has no ...but bricks, when
significant purpose... combined together,
become useful. 3
Similar to bricks, cells, when combined together, perform
functions necessary for life.
4
 Different scientists
paved the way to
propose theories
about cells, the
structural and
functional unit of life.

5 5
How can one distinguish
living organisms from
nonliving entities?

6
Learning Competency
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

Explain the postulates of the cell theory

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

7
 Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Describe the general features of the cell.

● Create a timeline of the discovery of the cell.
● Identify the three proponents of the cell
theory.
● Analyze the three principles of cell theory.
8
Overview of the Cell

Size of the cell as compared to other objects 9

Why are cells so small?
Does their small size have
something to do with their
function?

10
Overview of the Cell

Smaller size has higher surface area to volume ratio 11

General Functions of the Cell

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 General Functions of the Cell

Regulation of the Homeostasis

Internal Environment
● An organism’s ability to keep a
Acquisition and constant internal state is called
Utilization of Energy homeostasis.

Responsiveness to
Their Environment ● Maintenance of these conditions,
is important because most cells of
Protection and Support an organism require a specific set
of conditions to function normally.
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 General Functions of the Cell

Regulation of the Homeostasis

Internal Environment

Acquisition and
Utilization of Energy Perspiration serve as the cooling system
to remove excess heat in the body.

Responsiveness to
Their Environment

Protection and Support

Normal body
temperature
Shivering generates metabolic heat. 14
 General Functions of the Cell

Regulation of the Chemical Energy

Internal Environment

Acquisition and
● It is stored in the bonds present in
Utilization of Energy food molecules, and it will be
converted by the cells into more
Responsiveness to
Their Environment usable forms.

Protection and Support

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 General Functions of the Cell

Regulation of the Chemical Energy

Internal Environment

Acquisition and
● Energy is needed by various cells
Utilization of Energy to perform their functions.
○ heart cells to pump blood
Responsiveness to
Their Environment ○ intestinal cells to digest food
○ skeletal cells to initiate motion
Protection and Support ○ nerve cells to conduct
information
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 General Functions of the Cell

Regulation of the Responsiveness

Internal Environment

Acquisition and
● A cell must first be able to
Utilization of Energy determine the changes that
have taken place before
Responsiveness to
Their Environment deciding the necessary
responses that will ultimately
Protection and Support result in the maintenance of
normal internal conditions.
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 General Functions of the Cell

Regulation of the Responsiveness

Internal Environment

Acquisition and
Utilization of Energy

Responsiveness to
Their Environment

Protection and Support A tanned skin means more pigment is released in

that area to impart protection to the underlying
cells especially UV radiation that can damage DNA.
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 General Functions of the Cell

Regulation of the
Internal Environment

Acquisition and
Utilization of Energy

Responsiveness to
Their Environment

Immune cells impart protection against

Protection and Support
pathogens and other foreign bodies that may
enter the general circulation.
19
 History of the Development of Cell Theory

Scientists who contributed to the development of cell theory

Zacharias Janssen (1585–1632) invented the

first primitive microscope. 20
 History of the Development of Cell Theory

Scientists who contributed to the development of cell theory

Robert Hooke (1635–1703) observed

cork cells under a microscope. 21
 History of the Development of Cell Theory

Scientists who contributed to the development of cell theory

Francesco Redi (1626–1697) disproved the

spontaneous generation theory.
22
 History of the Development of Cell Theory

Scientists who contributed to the development of cell theory

Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723) observed microorganisms by

using his own practical microscope.
23
 History of the Development of Cell Theory

Scientists who contributed to the development of cell theory

Matthias Schleiden (1804–1881) proposed that all plants

are composed of cells.
24
 History of the Development of Cell Theory

Scientists who contributed to the development of cell theory

Theodor Schwann (1810–1882) proposed that all

animals are composed of cells.
25
 History of the Development of Cell Theory

Scientists who contributed to the development of cell theory

Rudolf Virchow (1821–1902) proposed that all cells

come from pre-existing cells. 26
How do you think were the
works of different scientists
compiled and synthesized to
develop the cell theory?

27
 The Three Principles of Cell Theory

Principle 1: Every living organism consists of one or more cells. Organism

may be unicellular (left) or multicellular (right) based on their level of complexity.
28
The Three Principles of Cell Theory

Principle 2: The cell is the fundamental unit of life. It is the smallest

structural and functional unit in all organisms.
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 The Three Principles of Cell Theory

Principle 3: Cells come from pre-existing cells. Cells contain hereditary

material, which they pass to their daughter cells when they divide.
30
Which among the three principles
of the cell theory can be practically
applied in healthcare by promoting
the use of sterilization and
disinfection? Why do you think so?

31
 Check Your Understanding

Below are five of the contributions to the development of

the cell theory. Identify the scientist described in each of
the following items.

1. He was the first to observe the cells under the

microscope.
2. His experiment disproved the spontaneous generation
theory.
3. He proposed that the cell is the basic unit of plants and
animals. 32
 Check Your Understanding

Below are five of the contributions to the development of

the cell theory. Identify the scientist described in each of
the following items.

4. He stated in the cell theory that all organisms are made

up of cells.
5. He proposed the idea in the cell theory that cells come
from preexisting cells.

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 Check Your Understanding

Compare and contrast

the theory of
spontaneous generation
from the principles of
cell theory. Create a
Venn diagram to show
their similarities and
differences. Provide two
unique characteristics
on each theory and one
similarity. 34
 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Cells are generally small in size that they can only be

viewed and magnified through the use of a
microscope.

● Cells have a high surface area to volume ratio to

ensure that they get adequate nutrients and to
prevent a high concentration of wastes from
accumulating.
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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Generally, cells function for support and protection,

regulation of the internal environment, response to
external stimuli, and acquisition and utilization of
energy for cellular activities.

● Different scientists were involved in the development

of the cell theory before it was finalized into three
major statements.
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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● The principles of the cell theory disproved the long-

held belief of many scientists about the theory of
spontaneous generation.

37
Let’s Sum It Up!

38
Challenge Yourself

Lina, a teenager, observed one

morning as she looked at the mirror
that her face has a new pimple. She
wondered how she got another pimple
when she already pricked it a few days
ago. What principle of the cell theory is
related to this?
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Photo Credits
● Slide 2: Human cheek cells, by Joseph Elsbern is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr.

● Slide 14: Normal body temperature. Thermometer showing slightly above 36°C by Ivan Radic is
licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

● Slide: 18: Skin tanning by Onetwo1 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

● Slide 20: Jansen microscope , by Hirannor is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via
Wikimedia Commons.

● Slide 23: Leeuwenhoek Microscope , by Jacopo Werther is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via
Wikimedia Commons.

● Slides 26 & 30: 3D-SIM-4 Anaphase 3 color by Lothar Schermelleh, is licensed under
CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikipedia.

● Slide 28: Onion cells 2 by Umberto Salvagnin is licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr.

● Slide 28: Mikrofoto.de-Blepharisma japonicum 15 by Frank Fox is licensed under

CC BY-SA 3.0 DE via Wikimedia Commons. 40
Bibliography

Hoefnagels, Marielle. Biology: The Essentials. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill Education, 2016.

Mader, Sylvia S., and Michael Windelspecht. Biology. 11th ed. McGraw-Hill Education, 2014.
Reece, Jane B, Martha R. Taylor, Eric J. Simon, Jean L. Dickey, and Kelly Hogan. Biology Concepts and
Connections. 8th ed. Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd, 2016.

Simon, Eric J., and Jane B. Reece. Campbell Essential Biology. 5th ed. Pearson Education Inc.,
2013.

Starr, Cecie, Christine A. Evers, and Lisa Starr. Biology Today and Tomorrow. 4th ed. Cengage
Learning Asia Pte Ltd, 2014.

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