C.1.2 - development of cell theory

• spontaneous generation - idea that life can emerge from non-living things
• Redi experiment -

  • 3 jars of meat, 1 uncovered, 1 gauze covered, 1 cork covered
  • Results: maggots in open container and on top of gauze container
• Pasteur experiment -

  • 3 flasks of broth, 1 open, 1 cotton plug, 1 long neck
  • Results: open flask contaminated with bacteria
• Spontaneous generation experiments contributed to manipulated, responding, controlled variables
• Cell theory

  • All things are made up of cells
  • Cells come from other cells
  • Cells are the functional/smallest unit of life
• Contributors to cell theory

  • Brown - existence of nucleus
  • Schleiden - identified plant cell, nucleus directs cell activity
  • Schwann - animal and plant cells are similar
  • Virchow - cells come from other cells