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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 structureWhat tool helped Schleiden make his discovery?
TelescopeRulerMicroscopeThermometerWhat kind of tissues did Schleiden study?
Bone tissueMuscle tissuePlant tissueNerve tissueWhat shape did Schleiden notice in plant cells?
RoundTriangleBox-shapedSpiralWho worked with Schleiden to study animal cells?
Robert HookeRudolf VirchowTheodor SchwannCharles DarwinWhy is Schleiden’s discovery important to science?
It explained gravityIt helped build microscopesIt helped form cell theoryIt showed plants have emotionsWhat is the main idea of the passage?
Plants grow faster in sunlightSchleiden found plants are made of cellsSchleiden studied animal bonesCells are not found in treesIf Schleiden had not studied plants under a microscope, what might scientists not know?
That water helps plants growThat plants are made of cellsThat plants need sunlightThat leaves have veins
