Final answer:
The English scientist Robert Hooke coined the term "cell" in 1665 after observing the structure of cork tissue under a microscope. This was a key development in the field of biology and contributed to the formation of modern cell theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The English scientist who coined the term "cell" was Robert Hooke. This groundbreaking event took place in the year 1665 when Hooke published his work in a book called Micrographia. While examining cork tissue through a microscope, Hooke observed box-like structures, which resembled the cells of a honeycomb or the small rooms in a monastery, leading him to choose the term "cell" from the Latin word cella. This discovery was pivotal as it formed the foundation for the development of cell theory, which later included the recognition that all living things are composed of cells and that cells are the basic unit of life.