TeXes Science Practice Test

Which scientist proposed that new cells arise only from previously existing cells, opposing spontaneous generation?

1. Hooke

2. Leeuwenhoek

3. Schleiden

4. Virchow

The correct answer is: Virchow

The assertion that new cells arise only from previously existing cells is a foundational principle in cell theory, and this idea was famously proposed by Rudolf Virchow. In the mid-19th century, Virchow's statement "Omnis cellula e cellula," which translates to "All cells come from cells," underscored the notion that life does not spontaneously arise from non-living matter, thus opposing the long-standing belief in spontaneous generation. This contribution was critical in shaping our understanding of biological processes and cellular reproduction. Virchow's work built on the findings of earlier scientists, but it was his assertion about the continuity of cellular life that definitively established the rule of cellular lineage. While other scientists, such as Hooke, Leeuwenhoek, and Schleiden, made significant contributions to cell biology and the study of living organisms, it was Virchow who specifically articulated the concept that all living cells originate from pre-existing cells. His perspective was transformative, leading to a better grasp of cellular development and the nature of life itself.