How did the invention of the microscope contribute to the development of the cell theory?

• A. It provided a method to measure the chemical composition of cells.
• B. It allowed scientists to observe and identify cells, leading to the realization that all living things are made of cells.
• C. It enabled the discovery of DNA as the genetic material of cells.
• D. It made it possible to directly observe cellular respiration in action.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the historical context: The invention of the microscope in the late 16th and early 17th centuries provided scientists with a tool to magnify objects that were too small to be seen with the naked eye. This was a pivotal moment in biology.
2. Recognize the key contributions of early scientists: Robert Hooke, using a microscope, was the first to observe and describe cells in 1665 when he examined cork tissue. He coined the term 'cell' because the structures resembled small rooms or 'cellulae.'
3. Acknowledge the role of improved microscopes: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek later improved the design of microscopes, allowing for higher magnification and resolution. He was the first to observe living cells, such as bacteria and protozoa, which he called 'animalcules.'
4. Connect these observations to the development of cell theory: The ability to observe cells directly led to the formulation of the cell theory in the 19th century by scientists like Matthias Schleiden, Theodor Schwann, and Rudolf Virchow. The cell theory states that all living organisms are composed of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells.
5. Clarify the specific impact: The invention of the microscope did not directly enable the measurement of chemical composition, the discovery of DNA, or the observation of cellular respiration. Instead, it allowed scientists to identify and study cells, which was fundamental to the realization that all living things are made of cells.