Key Points
Key Points: Cell Theory
- Cell theory was proposed by Matthias Schleiden (1838) and Theodor Schwann (1839), stating that all plants and animals are made up of cells.
- Rudolf Virchow (1855) further expanded the theory by stating that new cells arise from pre-existing cells (“Omnis cellula e cellula”).
- According to modern cell theory, all living organisms are composed of cells and their products.
- The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life.
- Cells arise only from pre-existing cells through cell division.
- The theory established that cells are the fundamental building blocks of all living organisms and highlighted the importance of cell division.
- Early cell theory had limitations as it did not explain cell formation, which was later resolved by Virchow.
