Question

Explain discovery of cell.

Answer 1

Cells are the basis of all living things. This fact was not always known and was not discovered until the 1660s. Scientists by the names of Robert Hooke and Anton Van Leeuwenhoek the discovery of cells.

The compound microscope had just been invented and Robert Hooke decided to observe a piece of cork. He noticed that the cork was made of small structures that reminded him of individual rooms. He called these "rooms" cells. Because the cork Hooke was observing was dead, the cells he observed were also non functioning.

Meanwhile, Anton Van Leeuwenhoek decided to observe living things such as blood and saliva under a microscope. He observed tiny parts within these substances. He named these parts "animalcules" because they resembled animals.

Hence, Robert Hooke is credited for discovery of cell while Anton von Leeuwenhoek is credited for discovery of living cell.