Final answer:
Robert Hooke coined the term "cell" in 1665 when he observed the structures within cork under a microscope. His work and later advancements in microscopy contributed to the development of modern cell theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Discovery of the Term "Cell" in Microscopy
The term "cell" was first coined by the English scientist Robert Hooke in 1665. When Hooke examined thinly sliced cork under a microscope, he observed box-like structures which reminded him of the small rooms, or cells, that monks lived in. This observation was described in his publication called Micrographia. Hooke's use of the term cell was pivotal, as it marked the beginning of cell theory, leading to the understanding that cells are the fundamental units of life.
The development of cell theory continued with improvements in microscopy and staining techniques, enabling scientists like Antonie van Leeuwenhoek to observe living cells. The work of many scientists over time has led to modern cell theory, which was shaped significantly by the research conducted in the 1850s by scientists such as Robert Remak and Rudolf Virchow, who debated the idea that all cells arise from pre-existing cells.