Cell Biology Basics

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Cell Theory

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A foundational idea in biology that states all living things are made of cells, cells are the basic unit of life, and all cells come from pre-existing cells.

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prokaryote

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A single-celled organism that does not have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles.

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bacteria

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single-celled, microscopic living organisms that can be found almost everywhere on Earth, including in and on our bodies.

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cytoplasm

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The jelly-like substance that fills a cell.

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genetic material

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The instructions or blueprints for the cell, held within the nucleus in a eukaryotic cell.

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unicellular

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An organism made of a single cell.

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multicellular

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An organism made of more than one cell.

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microscope

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A tool used to see objects that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. The invention of the microscope was essential for the discovery of cells.

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Robert Hooke

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A scientist who first observed and named 'cells' after looking at cork tissue with his microscope in the 1660s.

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Anton van Leeuwenhoek

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A scientist who made his own powerful microscopes and was the first to observe living cells, which he called 'animalcules,' from pond water.