Cell theory & historical timeline

Who coined the word “cells” and what did he actually see?

Robert Hooke named “cells” after observing compartments in dead cork tissue under a microscope.

What three statements form the classical cell theory as given by Schwann and later Virchow?

All organisms consist of one or more cells; the cell is the basic unit of structure for all organisms; all cells arise only from preexisting cells (Virchow).

What early obstacles limited progress in cell biology?

Limited microscope resolving power and a largely descriptive approach that emphasized observation over explanation.

Which scientist identified the nucleus in plant cells and what was the significance?

Robert Brown identified the nucleus using a compound microscope, showing internal cellular structure matters for function.

Which 19th-century scientists generalized cell composition across plants and animals?

Matthias Schleiden concluded plant tissues are cellular and Thomas Schwann made the same conclusion for animals.