Question

Name the three scientists who contributed to the theory of cell. Mention their discoveries.
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Answer 1

The scientists who contributed to the cell theory are

• Matthias Schleiden
• Theodor Schwann
• Rudolf Virchow

Their discoveries and contribution to cell theory

1. Matthias Schleiden

In the year 1838, Matthias Schleiden, a German Botanist, announced that every plant is made up of a large number of cells. He also declared that each of these cells performs various life processes.

2. Theodor Schwann

In the year 1839, Theodor Schwann,a German zoologist, made similar discoveries in animals and later declared that all animals and plants are composed of cells, which serves as the units of structure and function in organisms.

3. Rudolf Virchow

In the year 1858, Rudolf Virchow made an addition to the cell theory by saying that all cells arises from pre-existing cells.

Additional information-

Major points of cell theory

• The cells are the smallest unit of structure af all living things.
• The cells are the unit of function of all living things.
• All cells arise from pre-existing cells.

An average sized adult human constitutes approximately

• 37.2 trillion cells in the whole body.
• 100 billion nerve cells in the human brain
• 4-6 million red blood cells and 7 thousand white blood cells per cubic millimeters of blood