Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!
Multiple Choice
What was Rudolf Virchow's contribution to the cell theory?
A
He formulated the law of independent assortment.
B
He was the first to observe living cells under a microscope.
C
He discovered the nucleus in plant cells.
D
He proposed that all cells arise from pre-existing cells.
0 Comments
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the context of the cell theory: The cell theory is a fundamental principle in biology that describes the properties of cells, including their role as the basic unit of life, their origin, and their function.
Identify Rudolf Virchow's contribution: Virchow proposed the idea that all cells arise from pre-existing cells, which is a key addition to the cell theory. This concept is often summarized as 'Omnis cellula e cellula,' meaning 'Every cell originates from another cell.'
Clarify why the other options are incorrect: The law of independent assortment is related to genetics and was formulated by Gregor Mendel, not Virchow. Observing living cells under a microscope was done by Anton van Leeuwenhoek, and the discovery of the nucleus in plant cells was made by Robert Brown.
Relate Virchow's contribution to the broader cell theory: His proposal complemented the earlier ideas of Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann, who stated that all organisms are composed of cells and that cells are the basic unit of life.
Summarize the significance of Virchow's contribution: By emphasizing that cells arise from pre-existing cells, Virchow helped establish the principle of cellular continuity, which is essential for understanding growth, development, and reproduction in living organisms.