Questions and Answers
What is the scientific study of life in all of its diverse forms?
Biology
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic shared by all living organisms?
A cell is the smallest entity that can exhibit all characteristics of life.
True
Who examined the structure of thinly sliced cork and described small rectangular compartments called cellulae?
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What did Anton van Leeuwenhoek call the living organisms he observed in pond water?
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The cell theory states that ___ known living things are made up of one or more cells.
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Which German scientist theorized that all living things come from pre-existing living cells?
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Spontaneous generation is a principle supported by modern cell theory.
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Match the scientist with their contribution to cell theory:
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What is the branch of biology that studies the structure, function, and behavior of cells?
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Study Notes
Characteristics of Living Organisms
- Biology studies the vast diversity of life forms and shared characteristics among living organisms.
- Key characteristics include:
- Levels of organization
- Ability to acquire materials and energy
- Maintenance of an internal environment (homeostasis)
- Response to stimuli
- Reproduction and development
- Adaptation and evolution to changing conditions
Cell Theory
- Cells are the fundamental units of structure and function in all living organisms.
- The smallest entity that exhibits all characteristics of life is a cell.
- Organisms can be unicellular (e.g., amoebas, bacteria) or multicellular (e.g., plants, animals).
- The human body consists of trillions of cells, including specialized types such as muscle and nerve cells.
Historical Contributions to Cell Theory
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Robert Hooke (1665)
- First to describe cells by observing cork under a microscope, calling them "cellulae".
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Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1676)
- Observed living organisms in pond water, referring to them as "animalcules".
- His single-lens microscopes provided up to 200x magnification, laying the groundwork for microbiology.
Formulation of the Cell Theory
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Matthias Schleiden (1838)
- Proposed that all plants are composed of cells.
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Theodor Schwann (1839)
- Concluded that all animals are composed of cells.
- Together, Schleiden and Schwann established that all living things are composed of cells.
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Rudolf Virchow (1858)
- Stated that all living cells arise from pre-existing cells, challenging the idea of spontaneous generation.
Postulates of the Cell Theory
- All known living things are made of one or more cells.
- Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life.
- Cells arise from pre-existing cells through division, rejecting spontaneous generation.
Modern Cell Theory
- Cells contain hereditary information passed during cell division.
- All cells share a similar chemical composition.
- All energy flow and metabolic processes occur within cells.
Key Terms
- Cell Biology: The branch of biology focused on the study of cell structure, function, and behavior.
- Cytology: The examination of single cells.
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of Cell Theory in this quiz. Delve into the characteristics of living organisms and understand the essential principles that define life. This is a crucial foundational lesson for biology students.
