Cell Division and Cell Theory — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptSchleiden and Schwann together formulated the cell theory. This theory however, did not explain as to how new cells were formed. Rudolf Virchow (1855) first explained that cells divided and new cells are formed from pre-existing cells (Omnis cellula-e cellula). He modified the hypothesis of Schleiden and Schwann to give the cell theory a final shape. Cell theory as understood today is:
Which of the following statements regarding the development of cell theory and early cell discoveries are correct? S1: Antonie Von Leeuwenhoek first described the nucleus in 1831, while Robert Brown first saw and described a live cell. S2: Matthias Schleiden, a German botanist, observed that all plants are composed of different kinds of cells which form the tissues of the plant. S3: Theodore Schwann proposed that the presence of a cell wall is a unique character of animal cells based on his studies. S4: The initial cell theory formulated by Schleiden and Schwann explicitly explained that new cells are formed from pre-existing cells. S5: Rudolf Virchow modified the cell theory by stating "Omnis cellula-e cellula", meaning all cells arise from pre-existing cells.
View solution & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: B — S2 and S5 only
The core concept tested is the historical development of cell theory and the specific contributions of various scientists as detailed in NCERT. S1: Antonie Von Leeuwenhoek first saw and described a live cell, and Robert Brown later discovered the nucleus. The statement reverses their contributions. Therefore, this statement is NOT correct. (NCERT Page 88). S2: Matthias Schleiden indeed examined many plants and observed that they are composed of different kinds of cells forming tissues. This statement is correct. (NCERT Page 88). S3: Theodore Schwann concluded that the presence of a cell wall is a unique character of *plant* cells, not animal cells. Therefore, this statement is NOT correct. (NCERT Page 88). S4: The initial cell theory formulated by Schleiden and Schwann did *not* explain how new cells were formed. This aspect was added later by Virchow. Therefore, this statement is NOT correct. (NCERT Page 88). S5: Rudolf Virchow (1855) first explained that cells divide and new cells are formed from pre-existing cells, coining the phrase "Omnis cellula-e cellula", which gave the cell theory its final shape. This statement is correct. (NCERT Page 88). Statements S2 and S5 are correct. Final Answer: The final answer is B because statements S2 and S5 are correct.
What does NCERT say about Schleiden and Schwann together?
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