Cell Biology Basics

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What is considered the basic unit of life?

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Cells are considered the basic unit of life. (Part 1 of the Cell Theory.) Proposed by Henri Dutrochet in 1837.

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Who proposed that all living organisms are composed of cells?

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Theodor Schwann and Matthias Schleiden proposed this in 1839.

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What did Theodor Schwann and Matthias Schleiden work with?

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Theodor Schwann worked with animal tissues, and Matthias Schleiden worked with plant tissues.

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What does Part 3 of the Cell Theory state?

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All cells come from pre-existing cells. Proposed by Rudolf Virchow in 1858.

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Who developed the simple lens microscope and when?

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Robert Hooke developed a simple lens microscope in 1665.

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Who developed the compound microscope and when?

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Anton von Leeuwenhoek developed a compound microscope in 1674.

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What are the two principal types of microscopes used today?

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Light Microscopes and Electron Microscopes.

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What is the resolution capability of light microscopes?

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Light microscopes can resolve up to 2 micrometers (μm).

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What are the benefits and drawbacks of light microscopes?

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Benefits: Can look at living things, fairly cheap, fairly small. Drawbacks: Limited resolution and magnification.

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What are the two main types of electron microscopes?

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Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM).