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Cell theory

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A prokaryote

In biology, cell theory is a scientific theory that describes the properties of cells, and the basic unit of structure in every living thing. The initial development of the theory, during the mid-17th century, was made possible by advances in microscopy; the study of cells is called cell biology. Cell theory is one of the foundations of biology.

The three parts to the cell theory are as described below:

  1. All living organisms are composed of one or more cells.
  2. The cell is the basic unit of structure, function, and organization in all organisms.
  3. All cells come from pre-existing, living cells.

History

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The cell was first discovered by Robert Hooke in 1665. He examined (under a coarse, compound microscope) very thin slices of bottle cork

Modern interpretation

The generally accepted parts of modern cell theory include:

  1. All known living things are made up of one or more cells.
  2. All living cells arise from pre-existing cells by division.
  3. The cell is the fundamental unit of structure and function in all living organisms.
  4. The activity of an organism depends on the total activity of independent cells.
  5. Energy flow (metabolism and biochemistry) occurs within cells.
  6. Cells contain hereditary information (DNA) which is passed from cell to cell during cell division.
  7. All cells are basically the same in chemical composition in organisms of similar species.

Types of cells

Cells can be subdivided into the following subcategories:

  1. Prokaryotes: Prokaryotes lack a nucleus (although they do have circular or linear DNA) and other membrane-bound organelles (though they do contain ribosomes). Bacteria and Archaea are two domains of prokaryotes.
  2. Eukaryotes: Eukaryotes, on the other hand, have distinct nuclei bound by a nuclear membrane and membrane-bound organelles (mitochondria, chloroplasts, lysosomes, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, vacuoles). In addition, they possess organized chromosomes which store genetic material.

See also

References

Further reading

External links

You could elaborate more about how each of the scientists contributed to the cell theory, this would allow the readers to get a better understanding of the Cell Theory

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