Question

What are the main postulates of the cell theory?

Answer 1

History of the cell theory:

1. In 1838, Matthias Schleiden, studied a large number of plants and found out that all plants are composed of different kinds of cells to form tissues.
2. In 1839, Theodore Schwann, studied different types of animal cells and observed that all animal cells had a thin outer layer called a plasma membrane.
3. He also found out that plant cells have a cell wall that is absent in animal cells.
4. Based on these studies he gave a hypothesis that all organisms are made up of cells or products of the cells.
5. Later, in 1855, Rudolf Virchow explained that cells divide and new cells arise from pre-existing cells, i.e., "Omnis cellula-e-cellula".
6. Then the cell theory was modified and the following postulates were given.

Postulates of Cell theory are:

1. All living organisms are made up of cells or the products of the cells.
2. Cells are the fundamental building blocks of tissues, organs, and entire functioning organisms.
3. New cells are formed through division in the pre-existing cells.