SHS – STEM: BIOLOGY 1

Quarter 1 – Module 1
CELL THEORY
General Biology – Grade 11/12
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Cell Theory

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

DEVELOPMENT TEAM OF THE MODULE

WRITER: Marianne Tyche O. Lorenzana

REVIEWERS/EDITORS: Rowena D. Manaog

Jade Alberto
Ma. Lota C. Monte
Friedirick Apuli

LAYOUT ARTISTS: Jay Mark Base

Jonathan Roda
Jessica De Ocampo
“Explain the postulates of the cell theory”
STEM_BIO11/12-Ia-c-1
 In your previous years, you learn that all living
organisms are made up of cells. Some organisms
consist of one cell; others have more. Your body, for
example, has trillions of cells while elephants and
whales have gazillions of cells in their bodies. Cells vary
in size, shape, and function but there are parts and
characteristics common to all of them.
Cells are very, very small that we cannot see
merely by our naked eyes. In order to view cells, we
must use magnifying tools called microscopes. The first
compound microscope is invented by Jansen but it not
clear. It takes one century, after Robert Hooke
discovered cells in a piece of cork using his primitive
microscope. Years later, Anton von Leeuwenhoek
develops a more powerful microscope that allows him to
see detailed cell structures like bacteria.
In this module, you will know more about cells and the people behind the
discovery and development of cells. This lesson offers activities that help you to trace
the landmarks of the study and understand the postulates of the cell theory. Are you
ready for it? Then, be prepared to learn and accomplish the tasks ahead.

In this module you will learn to explain the postulates of cell theory.
Specifically, you will learn to:

o trace the development of cell theory;

o enumerate the scientist and their contributions;

o explain the postulates of the cell theory.

1
Directions: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. The scientist who first see and identify the cork “cells” using a microscope is
______________
A. Anton von Leeuwenhoek C. Robert Brown
B. Robert Hooke D. Matthias Schleiden

2. What type of microscope bends light and uses multiple lenses to magnify a cell?

A. Compound light microscope

B. Scanning electron microscope
C. Transmission electron microscope
D. Simple light microscope

3. Which of the following are the scientists who directly contributed to the evidence of
cellular theory?
A. Matthias Schleiden, Theodore Schwann, and Anton von Leeuwenhoek
B. Rudolf Virchow, Robert Brown and Theodore Schwann
C. Matthias Schleiden, Theodore Schwann, and Rudolf Virchow
D. Anton Von Leeuwenhoek, Matthias Schleiden and Robert Brown

4. Which of the following is stated in the cell theory?

A. Cells cannot be classified into prokaryotes and eukaryotes
B. Viruses are the smallest cells
C. Not all cells have nuclei
D. All living things are made of one or more cells.

5. What is the benefit of the development of the cell theory?

A. Cells have made microscopes get better.
B. There is less biologist today.
C. There is more disease on Earth now.
D. Scientist now know much more about cells and bacteria which is a benefit to all
human.

Hi! How did you find the test? Don’t worry if you got a low
score, this just means that there are more things that you can
learn from this module. So, hop in and get ready with your
journey.

2
Vocabulary – Exercises

A. Directions: Arrange the jumbled letters on the box then write the word on the
next row. Use the description given to identify the term correctly.

1. The unit of structure, physiology, and organization in living things.

L E C L

2. General or abstract principles of a body of fact.

Y E T O R H

3. Instrument used to magnify objects too small to be seen with the naked eye.
C P O E O S R C I M

4. Scientist who corrected the third tenets of cell theory.

C H W O V R I

5. The explanation of the relationship between cells and all living organisms.
L E L C R Y T H O E

How did you find the activity? Did it give you an idea
of the things you will learn from this module?

3
 Hello! Do you love singing? This time, try to sing the
Cell Theory Rap. This will help you understand the cell
theory in fun and interesting way.
Break a leg!

Cell Theory Rap

Listen close to the story I tell.
It's the rapping story of the living cell.
It's a happy tune that's sort of cheery.
About a real tough topic called the cell theory.

All animals, plants, and protists too,

Are made of cells with different jobs to do.
They're the basic units of all organisms,
And I hope by now you got the rhythm.

It all started with one dude named Hooke.

Who at some cork cells took a look?
He used a scope and took his time.
Cause a cell is small and thinner than a dime.

Say 1, 2, 3,4,
Are you ready to learn some more?
The animal cell has many parts,
And you must know each one by heart.

Like the farmer man in the dell.

The nucleus controls the cell.
its gives the orders -- kind of like a brain.
And it's protected by a nuclear membrane.

Around the cell, you'll find another "skin,"

The cellular membrane holds the whole cell in
But its job isn't simple there's no doubt,
It lets some particles go in and out.

4
 Cell Theory Rap

Now please don't lose your science enthusiasm,

Listen to the story of the cytoplasm.
All around the cell this thick fluid does go,
But in the nucleus it will not flow.

And don't forget those ribosomes –

This is where proteins come from.
These protein factories are so small, you'll agree,
You need an electron microscope to see.

Just when you thought you weren't having any fun

Along comes the endoplasmic reticulum.
These tube-like structures serve as a track,
To carry stuff to the membrane and back.

Now have you ever seen any doughnuts without holes?

In a cell, they're called vacuoles.
They're filled with stuff like H2O
And they carry food so the cell can grow.

Last of all, but not the very least,

Mitochondria - mighty cellular beasts,
Since they turn sugars into energy so well,
We call them the powerhouse of the cell.

Now my friend, you know it well,

The unforgettable story of the living cell.

"Science World" 10-5-90

Adapted: http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheet/cellrap.html

How was your experience? Did you get the tune

correctly? Are you able to get a gist of the development
of the cell theory and the structure and functions of the
cell?

5
 The words that you bump into are “CELL THEORY”. Now, what is cell theory?

The CELL THEORY, or cell doctrine, states that all organisms are composed of
similar units of organization, called cells, and has remained as the foundation of modern
biology.

Now, take time to process the information you acquired by accomplishing the next
task.

A. One, Two, Trace…

Directions. Arrange the following events to trace the development of the Cell Theory.
Number the pentagon from 1 – 7.

Anton von Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723), a Dutch businessman and a contemporary of

Hooke used his own (single lens) monocular microscopes and was the first person to observe
bacteria and protozoa. Leeuwenhoek looked at animal and plant tissues, at mineral crystals,
and at fossils. He was the first to see microscopic single celled protists with shells, the
foraminifera, which he described as "little cockles. . . no bigger than a coarse sand-grain." He
discovered blood cells, and was the first to see living sperm cells of animals. He discovered
microscopic animals such as nematodes (round worms) and rotifers. The list of his
discoveries is long. Leeuwenhoek soon became famous as his letters were published and
translated. In 1680 he was elected a full member of the Royal Society.

In 1663 an English scientist, Robert Hooke, discovered cells in a piece of cork, which
he examined under his primitive microscope. Actually, Hooke only observed cell walls
because cork cells are dead and without cytoplasmic contents. Hooke drew the cells he saw
and also coined the word CELL. The word cell is derived from the Latin word 'cellula' which
means small compartment. Hooke published his findings in his famous work, Microqraphia:
Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses (1665).

Credit for the first compound (more than one lens) microscope is usually given to
Zacharias Jansen, of Middleburg, Holland, around the year 1595. Since Jansen was very
young at that time, it's possible that his father Hans made the first one, but young Jansen
perfected the production. Details about the first Jansen microscopes are not clear, but there
is some evidence which allows us to make some guesses about them (Jansen microscopes).

6
 Around 1833 Robert Brown reported the discovery of the nucleus. Brown was a
naturalist who visited the "colonies of Australia" from 1801 through 1805, where he cataloged
and described over 1,700 new species of plants. Brown was an accomplished technician and
an extraordinarily gifted observer of microscopic phenomena.

The cell theory was refined further in 1858, when another German biologist, Rudolf
Virchow presented the idea “Omnis Cellula e Cellula” and gave the idea that all cells arise
from pre-existing cells. Thus, this breakthrough paved way to Modern Cell Theory.

In 1839, Schwann recognized a cell-like character of certain animal tissues. Schwann

felt that this similarity could not be mere coincidence, and it seemed to fit when Schleiden
called his attention to the nucleus. Then at once he reasoned that if there really is the
correspondence between vegetable and animal tissues that he suspected, and if the nucleus
is so important in the vegetable cell as Schleiden believed, the nucleus should also be found
in the ultimate particles of animal tissues.

It was the German professor of botany at the University of Jena, Dr. Matthias J.
Schleiden, who brought the nucleus to popular attention, and to asserted its all-importance
in the function of a cell. He outlined his views in an epochal paper published in Muller's
Archives in 1838, under title of "Beitrage zur Phytogenesis." This paper is in itself of value,
yet the most important outgrowth of Schleiden's observations of the nucleus did not spring
from his own labors, but from those of a friend to whom he mentioned his discoveries the
year previous to their publication.

Source: Cell Theory and Cell Organelles by: Christopher Meisler Science Method

Did you gain ideas on who are the scientists that gave
contributions to the development of the cell theory? Had
you traced correctly the events to form the landmarks of
the study?
Now, let us reinforce your knowledge about this using the
inventor card.

7
 A. My Inventor Card
Directions. Complete the inventor card provided below. Inside the inventor card are the
name, date of invention and his contribution. Write down their contribution(s) related to the
development of cell theory.

Date: 1500’s Date: 1647

Inventor: Hans & Zacharias Janssen Inventor: Anton van Leeuwenhoek
Picture: Picture:

Contribution: ____________________
Contribution: ____________________
_______________________________
_______________________________

Date: 1665 Date: 1838

Inventor: Robert Hooke Inventor: Matthias Schleiden
Picture: Picture:

Contribution: ____________________
Contribution: ____________________
_______________________________
_______________________________

Date: 1839 Date: 1855

Inventor: Theodor Schwann Inventor: Rudolf Virchow
Picture: Picture:

Contribution: ____________________ Contribution: ____________________

_______________________________ _______________________________

Source: https://www.gulfcoast.edu/current-students/academic-divisions/natural-sciences/biology-
project/origin-life/documents/8-cell-theory-historical-timeline-activitiy-dow-answer-key.pdf

8
 B. Cell Theory Timeline
Directions. Create a Timeline showing the chronological order of these scientists and their
contributions.

Good job! Congratulations, you’re almost done with the activity. You have
identified the scientists and their specific contributions to the development of
the cell theory. But how about the principles of cell theory? Can you now
enumerate the postulates of cell theory?
If not, let us read and understand this cell theory and answer the
guide questions provided.

9
A. Directions. Read the text provided below, then answer the guide questions ahead.

An Excerpt from the Story Behind the Cell Theory

In 1838, Theodor Schwann and Matthias Schleiden were enjoying after-
dinner coffee and talking about their studies on cells. It has been suggested
that when Schwann heard Schleiden describe plant cells with nuclei, he was
struck by the similarity of these plant cells to cells he had observed in animal
tissues. The two scientists went immediately to Schwann's lab to look at his
slides. Schwann published his book on animal and plant cells (Schwann 1839)
the next year, a treatise devoid of acknowledgments of anyone else's
contribution, including that of Schleiden (1838). He summarized his
observations into three conclusions about cells: The cell is the unit of structure,
physiology, and organization in living things. The cell retains a dual existence
as a distinct entity and a building block in the construction of organisms. Cells
form by free-cell formation, similar to the formation of crystals (spontaneous
generation).
We know today that the first two tenets are correct, but the third is
clearly wrong. The correct interpretation of cell formation by division was finally
promoted by others and formally enunciated in Rudolph Virchow's powerful
dictum, "Omnis cellula e cellula" ...that is cell develop only from existing cells.

The postulates of the Cell Theory include: all known living things are
made up of cells. The cell is structural & functional unit of all living things. All
cells come from pre-existing cells by division. (Spontaneous Generation does
not occur). Cells contains hereditary information which is passed from cell to
cell during cell division. All cells are basically the same in chemical composition.
All energy flow (metabolism & biochemistry) of life occurs within cells.
As with any theory, its tenets are based upon previous observations
and facts, which are synthesized into a coherent whole via the scientific
method. The Cell Theory is no different being founded upon the observations
of many.
Source: Cell Theory and Cell Organelles by: Christopher Meisler Science Methods

Note: You may also visit this link for better understanding of Cell Theory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAt-5Vk33UA

10
Guide Questions:
1. What theory did these scientists provide evidence for? ________________________
2. What instrument was necessary before the cell theory could be developed? ___________
_________________________________________________________________________
3. Who were the three (3) scientists directly contributed evidence for the cell theory?
a. ______________________________________
b. ______________________________________
c. ______________________________________
4. Based from your understanding, define cell theory. _______________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
5. How did Rudolf Virchow contribute to the cell theory? ____________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
6. Enumerate the three postulates of cell theory.
a. _________________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________________
7. What does “cells come from other cells” mean? _________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
8. What is a benefit of the cell theory? __________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

CONCEPT MAP
B. Directions. Make a concept map about the development of cell theory. Feel free to
write your ideas which you learned from this module. Connect one concept with
another idea by using connecting words/phrases.

CELL
THEORY

11
 Are you done answering the tasks? Great! Now, you had recognized that according
to cell theory all organisms are composed of cells and cell is the basic unit of life and new
cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Completing those activities ensure that you’re now equipped to understand the more
intricate learning about cells that comes later in your biology education.

Let us now gauge your understanding on cell theory. Answer the post-test provided
on the next page. Good luck!

Directions: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. The scientist who first see and identify the cork “cells” using a microscope was _____
A. Anton Von Leeuwenhoek C. Robert Brown
B. Robert Hooke D. Matthias Schleiden

2. What tools were first used by the scientist to observe and describe the microscopic
organisms and living cells possible?
A. Magnifying lens and light microscopes
B. Electron microscope and electron micrographs
C. Magnifying lens and electron microscope
D. Light microscope and electron micrograph

3. Which of the following are the scientists who directly contributed to the evidence of
cellular theory?
A. Matthias Schleiden, Theodore Schwann, and Anton von Leeuwenhoek
B. Rudolf Virchow, Robert Brown and Theodore Schwann
C. Anton Von Leeuwenhoek, Matthias Schleiden and Robert Brown
D. Matthias Schleiden, Theodore Schwann, and Rudolf Virchow,

4. Which of the following statement DOES NOT belong to the postulates of cell theory?

A. All living organisms are composed of cells and a cell is the

basic structural and functional unit.
B. Cells are the building blocks of living organism
C. New cells are produced from pre-existing cells.
D. Cells form by free-cell formation or spontaneous generation

12
 5. Which is the correct order of the events in the development of cell theory?

I. Anton van Leeuwenhoek designed an improved microscope and observed

first free-living cells.
II. Robert Hooke observed dead cells in a thin cork slice through a self-made
microscope.
III. Robert Brown discovered nucleus.
IV. Matthias Schleiden and Theodore Schwann proposed cell theory.
V. Rudolf Virchow gave the idea that all living cells arise from pre-existing
cells.

A. II, I, III, IV, V B. I, II, III, IV, V C. V, IV, III, II, I D. II, III, I, IV, V

My 3D Model

Directions. Construct a 3D model of animal/plant cell using recyclable materials. Use

the rubric provided below to give you an idea about the criteria of your project.

RUBRIC

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

The output The output The output The output

clearly displays some indirectly does not
displays the of the structure displays the sufficiently
Over-all structure using using labels structure display the
Presentation labels and its and its without using structure
functions are functions are labels and its together with
properly not so properly functions are its function.
represented. represented. not properly
represented.
All of the Most of the Some of the The materials
materials used materials used materials used used on the
on the 3D on the 3D on the 3D 3D
Creativity plant/animal plant/animal plant/animal plant/animal
and cell model are cell model are cell model are cell model are
Originality recyclable and recyclable and recyclable and not recyclable
reflect an reflect student the ideas were and were not
exceptional ingenuity in copied from made by the
degree of their creation. the design of student.
student others.

13
 ingenuity in
their creation.
All of the Most of the Some of the The concepts
concepts in concepts in concepts in in the 3D
Accuracy the 3D model the 3D model the 3D model model of
and of plant/animal of plant/animal of plant/animal plant/animal
Relevance of cell are cell are cell are cell are
the Content accurate and accurate and accurate and neither
related to the related to the related to the accurate nor
topic. topic. topic. related to the
topic.

You may refer to the following vocabulary words used in this module:
1. Cell – the smallest living unit of life
2. Cell Theory - a theory in biology that includes statements that the cell is the
fundamental, structural and functional unit living of matter and that the organism is
composed of cells.
3. Postulate – a hypothesis advanced as an essential presupposition
4. Microscope – Instrument used to magnify objects too small to be seen with the
naked eye
5. Compound light microscope – microscopy tool that uses visible light and multiple
lens to magnify an object
6. Spontaneous Generation – cell form by free cell formation similar to the formation
of crystal.

14
 1. B
2. A
3. C
4. D
5. D

ELICIT
1. CELL
2. THEORY
3. POSTULATE
4. VIRCHOW
5. CELL THEORY

EXPLORE – One, Two, Trace

Credit for the first compound (more than one lens) microscope is usually given to
Zacharias Jansen, of Middleburg, Holland, around the year 1595. Since Jansen was very
young at that time, it's possible that his father Hans made the first one, but young Jansen
1 perfected the production. Details about the first Jansen microscopes are not clear, but there
is some evidence which allows us to make some guesses about them (Jansen
microscopes).

In 1663 an English scientist, Robert Hooke, discovered cells in a piece of cork,

which he examined under his primitive microscope (fiqures). Actually, Hooke only observed
2 cell walls because cork cells are dead and without cytoplasmic contents. Hooke drew the
cells he saw and also coined the word CELL. The word cell is derived from the Latin word
'cellula' which means small compartment. Hooke published his findings in his famous work,
Microqraphia: Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses
(1665).

Anton von Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723), a Dutch businessman and a contemporary of

Hooke used his own (single lens) monocular microscopes and was the first person to observe
bacteria and protozoa. Leeuwenhoek looked at animal and plant tissues, at mineral crystals,
3 and at fossils. He was the first to see microscopic single celled protists with shells, the
foraminifera, which he described as "little cockles. . . no bigger than a coarse sand-grain." He
discovered blood cells, and was the first to see living sperm cells of animals. He discovered
microscopic animals such as nematodes (round worms) and rotifers. The list of his
discoveries is long. Leeuwenhoek soon became famous as his letters were published and
translated. In 1680 he was elected a full
15 member of the Royal Society.
 Around 1833 Robert Brown reported the discovery of the nucleus. Brown was a
4 naturalist who visited the "colonies of Australia" from 1801 through 1805, where he cataloged
and described over 1,700 new species of plants. Brown was an accomplished technician and
an extraordinarily gifted observer of microscopic phenomena.

It was the German professor of botany at the University of Jena, Dr. Matthias J.
Schleiden, who brought the nucleus to popular attention, and to asserted its all-importance
5 in the function of a cell. He outlined his views in an epochal paper published in Muller's
Archives in 1838, under title of "Beitrage zur Phytogenesis." This paper is in itself of value,
yet the most important outgrowth of Schleiden's observations of the nucleus did not spring
from his own labors, but from those of a friend to whom he mentioned his discoveries the
year previous to their publication.

In 1839, Schwann recognized a cell-like character of certain animal tissues. Schwann

felt that this similarity could not be mere coincidence, and it seemed to fit when Schleiden
called his attention to the nucleus. Then at once he reasoned that if there really is the
6 correspondence between vegetable and animal tissues that he suspected, and if the nucleus
is so important in the vegetable cell as Schleiden believed, the nucleus should also be found
in the ultimate particles of animal tissues.

The cell theory was refined further in 1858, when another German biologist, Rudolf
7 Virchow presented the idea “Omnis Cellula e Cellula” and gave the idea that all cells arise
from pre-existing cells. Thus, this breakthrough paved way to Modern Cell Theory.

EXPLAIN
A. Inventor Card

Date: 1500’s Date: 1647

Inventor: Hans & Zacharias Janssen Inventor: Anton van Leeuwenhoek
Picture: Picture:

Contribution: Father and Son who

Contribution: He made monocular
made the first compound microscope.
microscopes and was the first person
_______________________________
to observe bacteria and protozoa.
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________

16
 Date: 1665 Date: 1838
Inventor: Robert Hooke Inventor: Matthias Schleiden
Picture: Picture:

Contribution: He was the first to note

Contribution: Hooke was the first to
that plants are made up of cells.
identify cells and named them.
_______________________________
________

Date: 1839 Date: 1855

Inventor: Theodor Schwann Inventor: Rudolf Virchow
Picture: Picture:

Contribution: He proposed that all cells

Contribution He concluded that all
come from pre-existing cells.
living things are made up of cells.

B. Cell Theory Timeline

17
ELABORATE:

1. Cell theory
2. Compound Microscope
3.
a. Matthias Schleiden
b. Theodore Schwann
c. Rudolf Virchow
4. Cell theory is a cell doctrine which states that all organisms are composed of similar
units of organization called cells.
5. The third tenet in the historical cell theory which cells form by free-cell, spontaneous
generation does not occur. But, cells come from pre-existing cells during cell division.

6. Postulates of Cell theory

a. All living organisms are composed of cells and a cell is the basic structural and
functional unit.
b. Cells are the building blocks of living organism
c. New cells are produced from pre-existing cells.

7.Cells are created by other cells.

8. Scientist know now more about cells and bacteria which is a benefit to all humans.

CELL regarded as a fundamental structure and functional unit of life

named by

Robert Hooke Anton van Leeuwenhoek

observed dead designed an

cells in a thin improved
Robert Brown
cork slice through microscope and
his self -made observed first
discovered nucleus
microscope and free-living cells
(1831)
(1665) bacteria (1674)
CELL
THEORY
has three postulates

The cell is the All living things are All new cells come
smallest unit and made of one or more from pre-existing
building blocks of life. cells. cells.

proposed by concluded by corrected the 3rd tenets

Matthias Schleiden Theodore Schwann Rudolf Virchow

a German botanist a German zoologist a German biologist
(1838) (1839) (1858)

All plants are made up of All animals are made up Presented the idea
cells of cells “Omnis cellula e cellula”

18
 CONCEPT MAP
EVALUATE/POST TEST

1. B
2. A
3. D
4. D
5. A

Cover Photo: Retrieved from https://slideplayer.com/slide/6277871/

Cell Theory and Cell Organelles by: Christopher Meisler Science Methods. Retrieved
from https://www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/departments/science/k12-science-
units/Celll-theoy-and-organelles-biology.pdf

Image of film roll -https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/color-crayon-

stripe-image-cartoon-film-roll-reel-vector-14668860

Cell theory rap. Retrieve from http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheet/cellrap.html

Additional information on cell theory. Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAt-5Vk33UA

Image of Cell Theory Timeline. Retrieved from https://www.gulfcoast.edu/current-

students/academic-divisions/natural-sciences/biology-project/origin-life/documents/8-
cell-theory-historical-timeline-activitiy-dow-answer-key.pdf

19