-
Zacharias Janssen (1595):
First produced the compound microscope through the combination of two lenses, both convex, into a tube. Brought Science to the world of microbiology, allowing scientists to look more into what the eye could not see, such as cells.
Interesting Facts:
• His father Hans helped him in the creation of the compound microscope
• Dutch diplomat William Boreel was an acquaintance of Zacharias, and was interested in the microscope -
Robert Hooke (1653):
When looking at a piece of cork through a microscope, he realized that the cork was made up of smaller parts, or vacancies, in which he called cells. This was important to the cell theory because of the realization that all living things may also be made up of smaller parts just like the cork. He also introduced the word cell to the science world.
Interesting Facts:
• Was 26 years of age when he joined the Royal Society for scientists
• Was a child prodigy when dealing -
Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1670):
Was first person to observe protozoa and bacteria, and use his own personally built microscope to do so. This was Important to the cell theory because it proved that other living things were made up of “cells” as introduced by Robert Hooke. Leeuwenhoek discovered and observed the features of red blood cells, and also studied the structures of plants.
Interesting Facts:
• Made over 400 microscopes, many are still around today
• Was a Dutch Businessman, and some -
Matthias Schleiden (1838):
Studied cells in plants under Johannes Mueller and observed that plants were seemingly composed of cells. This was important to the cell theory because it introduced plants to a version of cell theory. It also suggested similarities between both plant and animal cells and their structures.
Interesting Facts:
• Schleiden was a vitalist
• Believed cells were the center of the vital force -
Theodor Schwann (1839):
Researched conformity between the structure and growth of plants and animals. Applied Schleiden’s theory that plants are composed of many cells to animals as well, and therefore stating that all living things are made up of cells. This was important to the cell theory because it now involved all living things as opposed to separate cell theories for plants and animals.
Interesting Facts:
• In 1836 he discovered the digestive enzyme pepsin
• Suggested that fermentatio -
Rudolf Virchow (1855):
Published the “biogenic law” which stated that all cells stem from other cells. This was and is still Important to the cell theory because it explained the occurrence of cells and how existence of new cells occurs. This “law” also laid out a foundation on which research could grow even into today, based on this “biogenic law”.
Interesting Facts:
• Was a German pathologist and statesman
• Developed standard method of autopsy procedure -
Louis Pasteur (1861):
Established ideas regarding cells and their metabolic attributes such as the ability to take simple nutritional substances and transform them in to utilizable energy. This was important to the cell theory because it gave a function to the cell itself, and leads to deeper discovery of the cell role in the overall structure of plants and animals.
Interesting Facts:
• French chemist and microbiologist
• Observations played a part in both the origins of microbiology and
