Answer:
The cell theory was developed over time by multiple scientists, Matthias Schleiden (1838), heodor Schwann (1839) and Rudolf Virchow (1855).
Step-by-step explanation:
Matthias Schleiden (1838): A German botanist, Schleiden concluded that all plant tissues are composed of cells, and he proposed that the cell is the basic unit of plant structure.
Theodor Schwann (1839): A German zoologist, Schwann extended Schleiden's work to animals. He proposed that animals, like plants, are also composed of cells, and he emphasized the cell as the fundamental unit of both plant and animal tissues.
Rudolf Virchow (1855): A German physician and pathologist, Virchow expanded upon the cell theory by stating that all cells arise from pre-existing cells. He is famous for his statement "Omnis cellula e cellula," which means "Every cell comes from a cell."
These three scientists collectively contributed to the development of the cell theory, which is a fundamental concept in biology stating that all living organisms are composed of cells, cells are the basic units of life, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells.