Final answer:
The question revolves around the scientist Robert Hooke, who first observed and named cork cells in his publication 'Micrographia'. This discovery constituted a significant milestone in the field of biology and microscopy. Later discoveries by scientists like Van Leeuwenhoek and advances in technology furthered our understanding of the cellular world.
Step-by-step explanation:
Robert Hooke observed cork cells under a microscope, and he saw box-like structures which he termed as cells. Drawing inspiration from the Latin term 'cella' which means a 'small room', Hooke named these structures thus because they reminded him of the small subdivisions in a monk's quarters. More importantly, his discovery was groundbreaking, and it marked a crucial step in the unfolding knowledge regarding the cellular structure of organisms.
Soon after, another scientist Van Leeuwenhoek discovered bacteria and protozoa, thus further enriching our understanding of the cellular world. As lens and microscope technology advanced, scientists were able to observe components inside cells, attesting to the fact that Robert Hooke's finding was central to our understanding of biology and microscopy.
Learn more about Robert Hooke and Cell Discovery