Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
What was the role of microscopes in the development of cell theory?
A
Microscopes were used to measure the size of atoms, which contributed to cell theory.
B
Microscopes allowed scientists to observe cells directly, leading to the formulation of cell theory.
C
Microscopes were primarily used to study chemical reactions, influencing cell theory.
D
Microscopes helped in the discovery of DNA, which was crucial for cell theory.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the historical context: Cell theory is a fundamental principle in biology that describes the properties of cells, primarily that all living things are composed of cells, and that cells are the basic unit of life.
Recognize the role of technology: Microscopes were a pivotal technological advancement that allowed scientists to observe cells directly for the first time, which was not possible with the naked eye.
Identify key contributors: Scientists like Robert Hooke and Anton van Leeuwenhoek used microscopes to make significant observations. Hooke coined the term 'cell' after observing cork cells, and Leeuwenhoek observed living cells, such as bacteria and protozoa.
Acknowledge the impact on cell theory: The ability to observe cells directly provided concrete evidence that supported the formulation of cell theory, as it allowed scientists to see the structure and function of cells in various organisms.
Clarify misconceptions: While microscopes were crucial for observing cells, they were not used to measure the size of atoms, study chemical reactions, or discover DNA in the context of developing cell theory. These are separate scientific advancements.