Answer
The discovery of animal cells is attributed to Theodor Schwann, a German physiologist. In 1839, Schwann, along with Matthias Schleiden, published the Cell Theory, which proposed that all living organisms are composed of cells. Schwann’s work was instrumental in establishing the concept that animal tissues are also made up of cells, similar to plant tissues, which was a significant advancement in the field of cell biology.
Key Points:
- Theodor Schwann: Co-discoverer of the cell theory, highlighting that all animals are made up of cells.
- Matthias Schleiden: Collaborated with Schwann to develop the cell theory, focusing on plant cells.
- Cell Theory: States that all living organisms are composed of one or more cells, and the cell is the basic unit of life.
Their collective contributions laid the foundation for modern cell biology and our understanding of the structure and function of cells in living organisms.