The discovery of plant and animal cells is attributed to two key figures in the history of biology: Robert Hooke and Theodor Schwann.
In 1665, Robert Hooke, an English scientist, was the first to identify and describe the cell. He observed a thin slice of cork under a microscope and noticed it was made up of small, empty compartments he called ‘cells’ because they reminded him of the cells occupied by monks in a monastery.
Later, in the 19th century, Theodor Schwann, a German physiologist, contributed significantly to cell theory by stating that all animal tissues are made up of cells. Schwann’s work alongside others led to the formulation of the cell theory, which posits that all living things are composed of cells, and cells are the basic unit of life.
Therefore, while Hooke is credited with the discovery of cells, Schwann played a crucial role in understanding animal cells specifically. Together, their contributions laid the groundwork for modern cell biology.