Year 7 Science · Unit 1 · Lesson 06

Cell Theory

Foundation Worksheet

Name

Date

Class

Learning Goals

Name the five scientists who built cell theory and describe each person's contribution.
State the three tenets of cell theory.
Explain why Virchow's idea — "all cells come from pre-existing cells" — was important.

Warm Up

Match each term to its definition

Draw a line connecting each term on the left to its correct definition on the right. Or write the matching letter next to each term.

Term	Your answer	Definition
Robert Hooke		A. Said all animals are made of cells (1839).
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek		B. Declared that all cells come from pre-existing cells; completed cell theory in 1855.
Matthias Schleiden		C. Looked at cork in 1665 and named the tiny boxes he saw "cells".
Theodor Schwann		D. Said all plants are made of cells (1838).
Rudolf Virchow		E. Built powerful single-lens microscopes and was the first person to see a living cell (bacteria in pond water, 1670s).
Cell theory		F. The set of three rules stating that all living things are made of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all cells come from pre-existing cells.

True or False? Fix the false ones

Circle T or F for each statement. If the statement is false, rewrite it correctly on the line below.

Robert Hooke discovered bacteria swimming in pond water.

Correct it:

All cells come from non-living matter under the right conditions.

Correct it:

Virchow added the third tenet of cell theory.

Correct it:

Before 1850, scientists only knew about plant cells — no animal cells had been discovered.

Correct it:

Cell theory is still accepted today, with only minor additions since it was first completed.

Correct it:

1. List the three tenets of cell theory in your own words.

Recall 3 marks

2. Hooke looked at cork cells in 1665, but he did not see living cells. Explain what he actually saw and why it was still an important discovery.

Recall 2 marks

Wrap Up

In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?