History of Cell Biology – Biology History

Cell biology is a branch of biology that studies the structure and function of cells, from the most fundamental features to the most particular functions found only in specialised cells. It focuses primarily on the concept that the cell is the fundamental unit of life.

Cell theory has had a major impact on our understanding of biology, and it has provided a framework for further scientific discoveries. For example, the discovery of DNA and the discovery of the structure of cells have both been made possible by cell theory.

The cell theory has also led to the development of many important techniques and technologies, such as cell culture, which allows scientists to study cells in a controlled environment outside of the organism in which they normally exist.

The cell theory has also led to the development of new medical treatments and therapies. For example, understanding the way that cells divide and differentiate has led to the development of cancer therapies that target specific types of cells, such as those that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer.

Modern Cell Theory

The modern cell theory is a fundamental concept in biology that states that cells are the basic unit of life and that all living organisms are composed of cells. The cell theory has evolved over time and is now widely accepted by the scientific community. The current version of the cell theory includes the following three main postulates:

1. All living organisms are composed of cells. This means that cells are the fundamental unit of life, and that all living things are made up of one or more cells.
2. Cells are the smallest unit of life that can perform all the functions necessary for life. This includes processes such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction.
3. Cells arise from preexisting cells. This means that cells are produced through the process of cell division, in which a single cell divides into two daughter cells. The cells produced in this way are genetically identical to the parent cell.

History of Cell Biology – A Timeline

• 1665: Robert Hooke first observes cells while studying cork under a microscope. He coins the term “cell” to describe the small compartments he sees, likening them to the small rooms monks lived in.
• 1838: Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann propose the “cell theory,” which states that all living organisms are composed of cells and that cells are the basic unit of life.
• 1855: Rudolf Virchow proposes the “law of cell growth,” which states that cells can only arise from preexisting cells. This is known as the “biogenic law.”
• 1875: Walther Flemming discovers the process of cell division, known as mitosis.
• 1882: Robert Remak proposes that cells can divide and differentiate to form tissues and organs.
• 1906: George Palade discovers the ribosomes, which are small, spherical structures within the cell that are involved in protein synthesis.
• 1952: James Watson and Francis Crick propose the double helix structure of DNA, which is the genetic material that carries the instructions for the development and function of living organisms.
• 1965: George Palade discovers the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus, which are organelles within the cell that are involved in the synthesis and transport of proteins and lipids.
• 1975: Christian de Duve discovers the lysosomes, which are organelles within the cell that contain enzymes that break down waste material and help to recycle cellular components.
• 1981: George Palade and colleagues discover the microtubules, which are long, thin structures within the cell that help to maintain the cell’s shape and play a role in cell division.
• 1995: Tsien identifies mutant of GFP with enhanced spectral properties
• 1998: Mice are cloned from somatic cells.
• 1999: Hamilton and Baulcombe discover siRNA as part of post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) in plants

References

• Bisceglia, N. 2016. Cell Biology. Accessed July 22, 2016. www.nature.com/scitable/topic/cell-biology-13906536.
• Innes, Centre John. 2016. Microscopy. Accessed July 22, 2016. https://www.jic.ac.uk/microscopy/intro_EM.html.
• Mikell, Meredith. 2003. Understanding Cell Biology: History & Theories. Accessed July 22, 2016. http://study.com/academy/lesson/understanding-cell-biology-history-theories.html.
• Pray, L. 2009. “Discovery of DNA Structure and Function: Watson and Crick.” Nature Education 100-101.
• Rhoads, Dan. 2007. History of Cell Biology. Accessed July 22, 2016. http://bitesizebio.com/166/history-of-cell-biology/.
• Utah.edu. 2016. PCR. Accessed July 22, 2016. http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/pcr/.
• https://bitesizebio.com/166/history-of-cell-biology
• Mazzarello P. A unifying concept: the history of cell theory. Nat Cell Biol. 1999. 1(1):E13-5.