The first living cell was discovered by Antony Van Leeuwenhoek in 1674. Antony Van Leeuwenhoek was known as a specialist in microscope making. In early 1670s, he made and designed a simple microscope with only single cell. This microscope can easily magnify and object 200-300 times.
According to reports, a while back ,Antony Van Leeuwenhoek had observed minuscule organisms—bacteria and protozoa. With the advancement of this microscope, he observe these minuscule organisms- bacteria and protozo under it. After observing he named them as “animalcules”. After this discovery, he started observing different things and went on to record his theories.
The discovery of cells was first traced in 1665 when Robert Hooke saw cells under his microscope and described them as a honeycomb. The study of cells was later elaborated by different scientists named Theodor Schwann, Matthias Jokob Schleiden, Rudolf Virchow, Ernst Ruska and many others.
Who was Antony Van Leeuwenhoek?
Antony Van Leeuwenhoek was a dutch scientist who discovered living cells on algae in water in the year 1674. He described these microorganisms as “animalcules” (“little animals”). He observed them under his self made single lensed microscope.
He was born on 24th October 1632 and died at the age of 90 on 26th August 1723. He studied all the concepts in the fields of Microscopy and Microbiology. He later discovered the compound microscope and is also known as the father of microbiology because of his achievements and discoveries.
What is a Cell?
The cell is the smallest unit of life. It is the basic structural and functional unit of all living beings on the planet. There are two types of cells: Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells. These cells are classified on the basis of their structure and functions.
Prokaryotic cells are simple cells with no cell nucleus whereas Eukaryotic cells are complex cells with many structures and organelles in the cell. The first time a cell was discovered was in the early 1660s by Robert Hooke. He recorded his findings in his book Micrographica in 1665. Later many scientists started working on this concept. The first living cell was discovered by Antony Van Leeuwenhoek (Father of Microbiology)
Structure of a Cell
As mentioned, cells are the smallest unit of life. Cells are important to provide structure and support for a living being. The interior of the cell contains different types of structure called cell organelles that support the working of a cell.
The outer and inner structure of cells contains:
It is the outer layer of the structure of the cell. This layer controls the movement of the cell substances and separates from the external environment.
This part of the cell is only present in a plant cell. It is the most important part of a plant cell which is responsible for protecting the cell. This layer is made of cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin.
It is a very thick jelly-like layer that is present in the cell membrane. All the chemical reactions of a cell takes place in this layer.
DNA (Hereditary material of the cell) is present in the nucleus. It is the most important part of the cell that helps it to grow, mature, divide and die.
Functions of Cell Organelles
Refer to the table below to know different cells organelles along with functions present inside the cytoplasm:
| Cell Organelles | Functions |
| Chromosomes | Determines the sex of the individual. Every human cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes. |
| Endoplasmic reticulum | Responsible for transportation inside the cell throughout the cell. Responsible for metabolism of carbohydrates, synthesis of lipids, steroids and proteins. |
| Golgi Bodies | Helps in the transportation of different materials inside the cell. Known as the post office of the cell. |
| Ribosome | Known as protein synthesisers of the cell. |
| Mitochondria | Known as the powerhouse of the cell. Produces cell energy. |
| Lysosomes | Helps in cell renewal. Protects the cell from foreign bodies entering inside. Known as suicide bags of cell. |
| Chloroplast | Contains a pigment called chlorophyll. Helps in photosynthesis. |
| Vacuoles | Responsible for storing food, water and other waste material inside the cell. |
Who Discovered the First Living Cell? FAQs
Q1. Who discovered the first living cell?
Answer: The first living cell was first discovered by Antony Van Leeuwenhoek. He was a Dutch scientist who was the first acknowledged microscopist and microbiologist in history.
Q2. When was the first living cell discovered?
Answer: The first living cell was discovered in 1674 by Antony Van Leeuwenhoek. He observed these living cells on algae in water. He described them as "animalcules” ("little animals”). He carried out this experiment under a single lensed microscope made by him.
Q3. Who is the first living cell on earth?
Answer: The first living cell on Earth is called the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA). It was one of the earliest prokaryotic cells with no nucleus and other organelles. LUCA existed more than 3 billion years ago.
Q4. What is a cell?
Answer: A cell is the smallest smallest unit of life. It is also known as the structural and functional unit of life. There are two types of cells known as prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Q5. Who was Robert Hooke?
Answer: Robert Hooke was the first person to discover a cell. He discovered cells in a cork and described them as honey comb. He later recorded his findings in his book in Micrographica in 1665.
Who discovered the first living cell
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Living cells were discovered by Leeuwenhoek | Leeuwenhoek discovered living cells |
| Who discovered living cell and dead cell | Details about discoveries of both cell types |
| First living cell name | Name of the first living cell |
| Who discovered non-living cell | Discoverer of non-living cells |
| Who discovered cell theory | Discoverer of cell theory |
| Robert Hooke discovered cell | Hooke’s discovery of the cell |
| Robert Hooke discovered cell in which plant | Plant in which Hooke discovered the cell |
