The cell:
An Invisible Universe
© MPI – Maria Paola Ippolito | All rights reserved
© MPI – Maria Paola Ippolito | All rights reserved
, Organisms are made of cells
In 1665, Robert Hooke invented the microscope and observed tiny cavities in
thin slices of cork. Separated by walls, he called them "cells," which is where the term
cell originated. During the 19th century, knowledge of the cell advanced, leading to
the conclusion that both animals and plants are composed of the same unit: the cell.
This led to the development of the Cell Theory.
© MPI – Maria Paola Ippolito | All rights reserved
Schematic of cork cells" da Micrographia (1665). Immagine di Pubblico Dominio, ospitata da Wikimedia Commons (National Library of Wales)
, THE CELL THEORY
• Cells are the structural and functional
© MPI – Maria Paola Ippolito | All rights reserved
units of all living organisms.
• All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
• Every organism is composed of one or
more cells.
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, BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF CELLS
•Cytoplasm: All cells contain cytoplasm, a semi-
fluid substance where most cellular reactions
© MPI – Maria Paola Ippolito | All rights reserved
take place.
•Plasma Membrane: They are enclosed by a
plasma membrane that defines their boundaries
and regulates the passage of substances.
•Genetic Material: They all contain DNA as
their genetic material, which carries the
instructions for cell function and reproduction.
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An Invisible Universe
© MPI – Maria Paola Ippolito | All rights reserved
© MPI – Maria Paola Ippolito | All rights reserved
, Organisms are made of cells
In 1665, Robert Hooke invented the microscope and observed tiny cavities in
thin slices of cork. Separated by walls, he called them "cells," which is where the term
cell originated. During the 19th century, knowledge of the cell advanced, leading to
the conclusion that both animals and plants are composed of the same unit: the cell.
This led to the development of the Cell Theory.
© MPI – Maria Paola Ippolito | All rights reserved
Schematic of cork cells" da Micrographia (1665). Immagine di Pubblico Dominio, ospitata da Wikimedia Commons (National Library of Wales)
, THE CELL THEORY
• Cells are the structural and functional
© MPI – Maria Paola Ippolito | All rights reserved
units of all living organisms.
• All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
• Every organism is composed of one or
more cells.
Designed by Freepik
, BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF CELLS
•Cytoplasm: All cells contain cytoplasm, a semi-
fluid substance where most cellular reactions
© MPI – Maria Paola Ippolito | All rights reserved
take place.
•Plasma Membrane: They are enclosed by a
plasma membrane that defines their boundaries
and regulates the passage of substances.
•Genetic Material: They all contain DNA as
their genetic material, which carries the
instructions for cell function and reproduction.
Designed by Freepik
