NEET UG » NEET UG Study Material » Biology » Cell Theory: Definition, History

Cell Theory: Definition, History

The study of living beings is referred to as biology. Their diversity was highlighted by the comprehensive explanation of their form and looks. The cell theory highlights the unity that lies beneath this diversity of forms, namely the cellular organisation of all living things.

A cell is a unit of protoplasm that is connected by plasma or cell membrane and has a nucleus. The cytoplasm and nucleus are both made up of protoplasm, which is the sole component. Mitochondria, golgi bodies, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, plastids and lysosomes are all organelles found in the cytoplasm.

Plant cells feature enormous vacuoles in their cytoplasm that store non-living elements such as minerals and pigments. There are no distinct cell organelles and a very well nucleus in the bacteria. In most of the other organisms, therefore, each cell has three key elements: the cytoplasm, plasma membrane, and DNA, which are all contained by a nuclear membrane.

Living processes, such as physiological and behavioural processes, were also shrouded in mystery, thanks to the cell theory. This riddle was the necessity for the coherence of cellular organization in order to exhibit or perceive living events. A physico-chemical methodology and the utilisation of cell-free systems can be used to know and learn behavioural and physiological phenomena. We may characterise the multiple functions in molecular terminology using this method. The method is based on the study of chemical components in living tissues. It will reveal the different sorts of organic molecules found in living creatures.

History of the Cell Theory:

Matthias Schleiden, a botanist from Germany, researched a variety of plants in 1838 and discovered that almost all plants are made up of distinct types of cells that create the plant’s tissues. Around the same period, a zoologist called Theodore Schwann (1839) from the UK studied several types of animal cells and discovered that they had a thin outer covering that is now recognized as the ‘plasma membrane.’

Depending on his research on plant tissues, he also came to the conclusion that the existence of cell walls is a distinct feature of plant cells. Schwann offered the notion that animals’ and plants’ bodies are made up of cells and cell products based on this.

The cell theory was developed jointly by Schleiden and Schwann. Therefore, the cell theory was proposed by Schleiden and Schwann. However, this idea failed to explain how additional cells were produced.

Cells divide, and new cells are created from pre-existing cells, according to Rudolf Virchow (1855). To give the cell theory a final form, he amended Schleiden and Schwann’s theory.

Cell Theory:

The following three facts are the foundation of the cell theory:

  1. The cell is the fundamental unit of structure and function of living organisms, according to current understanding
  2. All living things are made up of one or even more cells, which contain metabolism, energy flow, and biochemistry. The chemical composition of all cells is roughly the same
  3. During cellular division, cells contain genetic material that is transmitted to daughter cells, and cells develop from other cells

As a result, the cell theory asserts that-

  1. All living entities are made up of cells and their products
  2. All cells come from preexisting cells
faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the NEET UG Examination Preparation.

What is the simplest definition of cell theory?

A biological theory includes one or more claims that its cell has been the fundamental structural and functional uni...Read full

What are the three fundamentals of cell theory?

According to the three principles of cell theory, all living entities are made up of one or even more cells. Living ...Read full

What is a cell theory example?

Cells are the smallest unit of life, as per cell theory. In another way, a cell can’t be broken down into smal...Read full

What are the cell theory's limitations?

The flaws or downsides of cell theory include the following: Viruses are known acellular entities or organisms which...Read full