Matthias Schleiden and the Discovery That Plants Are Made of Cells

About this reader

This NGSS-aligned science passage explains how Matthias Schleiden, a German scientist in the 1830s, discovered that all plants are made of cells. Supporting MS-LS1-1, the passage shows how Schleiden used a microscope to examine plant tissue and saw repeating box-shaped cells. His work, along with Theodor Schwann's research on animals, led to the development of cell theory. This middle school reading resource highlights key vocabulary like 'microscope,' 'plant tissue,' and 'structure,' helping students deepen their science comprehension and meet Next Generation Science Standards in life science.

Written by Workybooks TeamPublished by Workybooks

Preview

Sample passage and quiz content

CONTENT PREVIEW

In the 1830s, a German scientist named Matthias Schleiden made an important discovery about living things. While studying plants under a microscope, he realized that all plants are made of cells. This discovery helped scientists begin to understand that cells are the basic building blocks of life.

At the time, microscopes were becoming more powerful, allowing scientists to see structures inside plants and animals. Schleiden was especially interested in plant tissues. By closely examining thin slices of plant stems and leaves, he noticed a pattern—every part of the plant was made up of small, box-shaped units. He concluded that cells were the most important part of plant structure and growth.

Soon after, Schleiden worked with another German scientist, Theodor Schwann, who was studying animal tissues. Together, they realized that both plants and animals are made of cells. This idea became one of the foundations of cell theory, a key idea in life science that explains what living things are made of and how they function.

Schleiden’s work showed that even though plants and animals look very different, they are made of the same basic units—cells. His research helped scientists begin to understand how living organisms grow, develop, and stay alive.

Fun Fact: Matthias Schleiden originally studied law before switching to science—his interest in plants made him one of the founders of cell theory!

What did Matthias Schleiden discover about plants?

They only grow in waterThey are made of cellsThey are made of atomsThey don’t have structure

What tool helped Schleiden make his discovery?

TelescopeRulerMicroscopeThermometer

What kind of tissues did Schleiden study?

Bone tissueMuscle tissuePlant tissueNerve tissue

What shape did Schleiden notice in plant cells?

RoundTriangleBox-shapedSpiral

Who worked with Schleiden to study animal cells?

Robert HookeRudolf VirchowTheodor SchwannCharles Darwin

Why is Schleiden’s discovery important to science?

It explained gravityIt helped build microscopesIt helped form cell theoryIt showed plants have emotions