Final answer:
Robert Hooke is the scientist who named the structures he observed in cork tissue as "cells" in his 1665 publication, Micrographia. His discovery is a fundamental aspect of cell theory in modern biology, and subsequent advances in the field have greatly enhanced our understanding of cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Discovery of Cells by Robert Hooke
The scientist who gave the name cells to the structures he viewed is Robert Hooke. In his groundbreaking 1665 publication, Micrographia, Hooke used a lens to observe cork tissue and noted the box-like structures which he described as resembling a "honeycomb". These structures, which we now understand to be the smallest structural units of living organisms, were termed cells by Hooke, drawing from the Latin word cella, meaning "small room". This pivotal discovery laid the foundation for the development of cell theory, which is central to modern biology, by stressing the significance of these units in the composition of all living things.
Advances in technologies such as lens making, microscope construction, and staining techniques have significantly expanded our understanding of cells since Hooke's initial observations. This has allowed scientists to delve into the complex inner workings of cells, giving rise to the comprehensive cell theory we know today.