Question

What was Rudolf Virchow's contribution to the cell theory?

Answer 1

Hint: Cell theory was first put forth by M.J Schleiden and Theodore Schwann which later got modified after the new cell discovery of Rudolf Virchow. The cell theory is the contribution of all the three scientists where Virchow has explained that cell division helps in the growth and formation of a new cell.

Complete answer:
Firstly the cell theory was given by M.J. Schleiden and Theodore Schwann, where they state that 'cell is the structural and functional unit of organisms', but how the formation of the new cell takes place was not explained. In 1838, Rudolf Virchow proposed that 'Omnis cellula e cellula' which means that new cells develop from the pre-existing cell by division. The discovery of Rudolf Virchow has modified the cell theory because, before the Rudolf Virchow discovery, Schleiden thought that the new cell gets bud off from the nucleus. After the discovery of all the three scientists, the feature of new cell theory states that all living organisms consist of cell and cell products. All cells arise from the pre-existing cell by division. The chemical composition and metabolic activity of all cells are different. The cell is the structural and functional unit of all living organisms and the functions of organisms depend upon the activities and interactions of cells.

Note:
For explaining the formation of the new cell M.J. Schleiden and Theodore Schwann, was put forth by the abiogenesis hypothesis which states that spontaneous generation leads to cell origination, which gets disproven and does not get included in the cell theory. According to spontaneous generation, the formation of new living takes place from organic matter, and this theory did not get accepted by scientists and led to its rejection.