The wacky history of cell theory - Lauren Royal-Woods

Summary

The history of the cell theory is filled with fascinating anecdotes. It started with Zacharias Janssen's invention of the microscope in the 1600s, which intrigued Anton van Leeuwenhoek to make his own and discover bacteria from dental scrapings. Robert Hooke coined the term 'cell' after observing cork. The cell theory was later developed by Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann, who identified cells in plants and animals respectively. A dispute over cell origin was resolved by Rudolph Virchow's research, albeit controversially borrowed from Robert Remak. The story highlights how seemingly mundane scientific facts often have intriguing histories.

Takeaways

• 🔬 Science discoveries often happen in unexpected ways, not just in laboratories.
• 🔍 The cell theory has three main parts: all organisms are composed of cells, the cell is the basic unit of structure and organization in organisms, and all cells come from preexisting cells.
• 🕵️ The development of the cell theory began in the early 1600s with the invention of the first compound microscope by Zacharias Janssen.
• 🦠 Anton van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutchman, made his own microscope and discovered bacteria by examining dental scrapings.
• 📜 Robert Hooke coined the term 'cell' after observing cork under a microscope and noting that the small chambers resembled monk's cells.
• ⚖️ Hooke and Sir Isaac Newton had a contentious relationship, leading to Hooke's research being overshadowed.
• 🌱 In the 1800s, Matthias Schleiden concluded that all plants are made of cells after extensive study under a microscope.
• 🐾 Theodor Schwann reached a similar conclusion for animals, noting all animals are made of cells, and contributed to the cell theory.
• 💡 A dispute arose about cell formation, with Schleiden believing in free-cell formation and Rudolph Virchow proving cells come from preexisting cells, using research from Robert Remak.
• 📚 The development of cell theory highlights how scientific discoveries often have fascinating and complex histories.

Q & A

What are the three parts of the cell theory?

The three parts of the cell theory are: 1) all organisms are composed of one or more cells, 2) the cell is the basic unit of structure and organization in organisms, and 3) all cells come from preexisting cells.

Who is credited with the creation of the first compound microscope?

Zacharias Janssen, a spectacle maker from the Netherlands, is said to have come up with the first compound microscope.

Why did Anton van Leeuwenhoek decide to make his own microscope instead of buying one?

Anton van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutchman, decided to make his own microscope because he was interested in the new invention and wanted to experiment with it, rather than purchasing one.

How did Anton van Leeuwenhoek discover bacteria?

Anton van Leeuwenhoek discovered bacteria by examining the gunk on his teeth using his homemade microscope.

What term did Robert Hooke coin when observing the structure of cork under a microscope?

Robert Hooke coined the term 'the cell' when he observed the structure of cork, as the little chambers he saw reminded him of cells or the rooms monks slept in.

Why was Robert Hooke underappreciated during his time?

Robert Hooke was underappreciated because he had a contentious relationship with Sir Isaac Newton, which led to his work and portrait being misplaced after his death.

What significant contribution did Matthias Schleiden make to the cell theory?

Matthias Schleiden, a botanist, contributed to the cell theory by realizing that every plant he studied was made of cells.

What was Theodor Schwann's role in the development of the cell theory?

Theodor Schwann, a scientist who studied animal cells, concluded that all animals were made of cells and collaborated with Schleiden to work on the beginnings of the cell theory.

What was the bone of contention between Schleiden and Schwann regarding the cell theory?

The bone of contention was the origin of cells. Schleiden believed in free-cell formation, where cells spontaneously crystallized into existence, while Schwann and later Rudolph Virchow supported the idea that all cells come from preexisting cells.

Who is credited with the research that supported the idea that cells come from other cells, and what controversy was involved?

Rudolph Virchow is credited with the research supporting the idea that cells come from other cells. However, there was controversy because his research was 'borrowed without permission' from Robert Remak, leading to a feud between the two scientists.

What is the overarching message of the script regarding the history of scientific discoveries?

The overarching message is that while some scientific discoveries may seem boring, the history and stories behind how we came to know them are incredibly fascinating and often involve unexpected and weird events and people.

Outlines

00:00

🔬 The Adventurous Birth of Cell Theory

The script delves into the unconventional history of the cell theory, highlighting the unexpected origins of scientific discoveries. It begins with the invention of the microscope by Zacharias Janssen and Anton van Leeuwenhoek's homemade version, which led to the discovery of bacteria in dental plaque, termed 'animalcules'. The narrative then shifts to Robert Hooke, who coined the term 'cell' after observing the structure of cork under a microscope. Hooke's scientific contributions were overshadowed by his contentious relationship with Sir Isaac Newton. The script continues with the 19th-century German scientists Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann, who independently concluded that all plants and animals are composed of cells, laying the groundwork for the cell theory. A dispute over the origin of cells, with Schleiden advocating for spontaneous generation and Schwann supporting a cellular basis for life, is also discussed.

05:02

🌱 The Evolution and Completion of Cell Theory

This paragraph continues the exploration of cell theory, focusing on the final piece of the puzzle: the origin of cells. It describes how Schleiden initially rejected the idea that cells arise from pre-existing cells, instead supporting the theory of spontaneous generation. However, Rudolph Virchow's research, which was based on the work of Robert Remak, contradicted Schleiden's view, proving that cells are indeed produced from other cells. The paragraph underscores the complex and often contentious nature of scientific discovery, emphasizing the importance of digging deeper to uncover the fascinating stories behind seemingly mundane scientific facts.

Keywords

💡Cell Theory

The Cell Theory is a fundamental principle in biology that states three main points: all organisms are composed of one or more cells, the cell is the basic unit of structure and organization in organisms, and all cells come from preexisting cells. This theory is central to the video as it outlines the historical development and discoveries that led to our current understanding of cellular biology.

💡Microscope

A microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. The video mentions the invention of the compound microscope by Zacharias Janssen and the improvements made by Anton van Leeuwenhoek, highlighting its importance in the discovery of cells and microscopic organisms.

💡Anton van Leeuwenhoek

Anton van Leeuwenhoek was a Dutch scientist known for his work in developing powerful microscopes and for being the first to observe and describe bacteria, which he discovered by examining dental scrapings. His contributions are a key part of the video’s narrative on the history of cell theory.

💡Animalcules

Animalcules is the term Anton van Leeuwenhoek used to describe the tiny organisms he observed under his microscope, which we now know as bacteria. This term reflects the early stages of microbiology and how initial observations were interpreted.

💡Robert Hooke

Robert Hooke was an English scientist who coined the term 'cell' after observing the structure of cork under a microscope. His observations and terminology laid the groundwork for the development of cell theory, and his contentious relationship with Isaac Newton is also mentioned in the video.

💡Matthias Schleiden

Matthias Schleiden was a German botanist who concluded that all plants are made of cells. His work, alongside Theodor Schwann, was instrumental in establishing the first two parts of the cell theory, emphasizing the cellular composition of living organisms.

💡Theodor Schwann

Theodor Schwann was a German scientist who, like Schleiden, studied cells and concluded that all animals are made of cells. Schwann's work helped unify the idea that all living organisms are composed of cells, contributing to the formulation of the cell theory.

💡Rudolph Virchow

Rudolph Virchow was a scientist who provided research supporting the idea that all cells come from preexisting cells, a key component of cell theory. His work, however, involved some controversy as he used findings from Robert Remak without proper attribution.

💡Zacharias Janssen

Zacharias Janssen was a spectacle maker credited with inventing the first compound microscope, which played a crucial role in the advancement of biology by allowing scientists to observe cells and microorganisms. His contribution marks the beginning of microscopic exploration.

💡Robert Remak

Robert Remak was a Jewish scientist whose research on cell division was used by Rudolph Virchow to support the idea that cells come from preexisting cells. His contributions, though not initially credited, were significant in establishing the third part of the cell theory.

Highlights

The discovery process of the cell theory is not always in a prescribed manner and can be as varied as the events and people involved.

The cell theory is composed of three parts: organisms are made of cells, the cell is the basic unit of structure and organization, and all cells come from preexisting cells.

Zacharias Janssen is credited with creating the first compound microscope, though this claim is disputed.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutchman, made his own microscope and discovered bacteria by examining dental scrapings.

Van Leeuwenhoek referred to bacteria as 'animalcules' because of their appearance.

Robert Hooke, an English scientist, is credited with coining the term 'cell' after observing the structure of cork under a microscope.

Hooke's scientific contributions were underappreciated due to his contentious relationship with Sir Isaac Newton.

Matthias Schleiden, a German botanist, concluded that all plants are made of cells after studying them under a microscope.

Theodor Schwann, a German scientist, discovered that all animals are made of cells and contributed to the development of the cell theory.

Schwann also invented rebreathers for firefighters and was known for his distinctive sideburns.

Rudolph Virchow's research supported the idea that cells come from other cells, which was initially 'borrowed' from Robert Remak.

The cell theory's development involved various scientific feuds and the borrowing of ideas without permission.

The cell theory is an important part of modern biology, despite its unusual and contentious history.

The history of scientific discoveries can be as fascinating as the discoveries themselves, encouraging deeper exploration into seemingly boring topics.

The story of the cell theory illustrates the importance of digging deeper into scientific topics to uncover their intriguing and complex histories.

Transcripts

One of the great things about science

is that when scientists make a discovery,

it's not always in a prescribed manner,

as in, only in a laboratory under strict settings,

with white lab coats

and all sorts of neat science gizmos that go, "Beep!"

In reality,

the events and people involved

in some of the major scientific discoveries

are as weird and varied as they get.

My case in point:

The Weird History of the Cell Theory.

There are three parts to the cell theory.

One: all organisms are composed of one or more cells.

Two: the cell is the basic unit of structure

and organization in organisms.

And three: all cells come from preexisting cells.

To be honest, this all sounds incredibly boring

until you dig a little deeper

into how the world of microscopic organisms,

and this theory came to be.

It all started in the early 1600s in the Netherlands,

where a spectacle maker named Zacharias Janssen

is said to have come up with the first compound microscope,

along with the first telescope.

Both claims are often disputed,

as apparently he wasn't the only bored guy

with a ton of glass lenses to play with at the time.

Despite this,

the microscope soon became a hot item

that every naturalist or scientist at the time wanted to play with,

making it much like the iPad of its day.

One such person

was a fellow Dutchman by the name of Anton van Leeuwenhoek,

who heard about these microscope doohickeys,

and instead of going out and buying one,

he decided to make his own.

And it was a strange little contraption indeed,

as it looked more like a tiny paddle the size of a sunglass lens.

If he had stuck two together,

it probably would have made a wicked set of sunglasses

that you couldn't see much out of.

Anyhoo, once Leeuwenhoek had his microscope ready,

he went to town,

looking at anything and everything he could with them,

including the gunk on his teeth.

Yes, you heard right.

He actually discovered bacteria

by looking at dental scrapings,

which, when you keep in mind

that people didn't brush their teeth much -- if at all -- back then,

he must have had a lovely bunch of bacteria to look at.

When he wrote about his discovery,

he didn't call them bacteria, as we know them today.

But he called them "animalcules,"

because they looked like little animals to him.

While Leeuwenhoek was staring at his teeth gunk,

he was also sending letters to a scientific colleague in England,

by the name of Robert Hooke.

Hooke was a guy who really loved all aspects of science,

so he dabbled in a little bit of everything, including physics,

chemistry and biology.

Thus it is Hooke who we can thank for the term "the cell,"

as he was looking at a piece of cork under his microscope,

and the little chambers he saw reminded him of cells,

or the rooms monks slept in in their monasteries.

Think college dorm rooms,

but without the TVs, computers and really annoying roommates.

Hooke was something of an underappreciated scientist

of his day --

something he brought upon himself,

as he made the mistake of locking horns

with one of the most famous scientists ever, Sir Isaac Newton.

Remember when I said Hooke dabbled in many different fields?

Well, after Newton published a groundbreaking book

on how planets move due to gravity,

Hooke made the claim

that Newton had been inspired by Hooke's work in physics.

Newton, to say the least, did not like that,

which sparked a tense relationship between the two

that lasted even after Hooke died,

as quite a bit of Hooke's research -- as well as his only portrait --

was ... misplaced, due to Newton.

Much of it was rediscovered, thankfully, after Newton's time,

but not his portrait,

as, sadly, no one knows what Robert Hooke looked like.

Fast-forward to the 1800s,

where two German scientists discovered something

that today we might find rather obvious,

but helped tie together what we now know as the cell theory.

The first scientist was Matthias Schleiden,

a botanist who liked to study plants under a microscope.

From his years of studying different plant species,

it finally dawned on him

that every single plant he had looked at

were all made of cells.

At the same time,

on the other end of Germany was Theodor Schwann,

a scientist who not only studied slides of animal cells

under the microscope

and got a special type of nerve cell named after him,

but also invented rebreathers for firefighters,

and had a kickin' pair of sideburns.

After studying animal cells for a while,

he, too, came to the conclusion

that all animals were made of cells.

Immediately, he reached out via snail mail,

as Twitter had yet to be invented,

to other scientists working in the same field with Schleiden,

who got back to him,

and the two started working on the beginnings of the cell theory.

A bone of contention arose between them.

As for the last part of the cell theory --

that cells come from preexisting cells --

Schleiden didn't exactly subscribe to that thought,

as he swore cells came from free-cell formation,

where they just kind of spontaneously crystallized into existence.

That's when another scientist named Rudolph Virchow,

stepped in with research showing that cells did come from other cells,

research that was actually -- hmm ... How to put it? --

"borrowed without permission"

from a Jewish scientist by the name of Robert Remak,

which led to two more feuding scientists.

Thus, from teeth gunk to torquing off Newton,

crystallization to Schwann cells,

the cell theory came to be an important part of biology today.

Some things we know about science today may seem boring,

but how we came to know them is incredibly fascinating.

So if something bores you,

dig deeper.

It's probably got a really weird story behind it somewhere.