Cell theory and how it was discovered
Grade 9 Science Worksheet

Circle the best answer.
Read this first
Use this
Cell theory card. Part 1: one or more cells make up all living things. Part 2: the cell is the basic living unit. Part 3: new cells arise from existing cells.
Ari reads that Schleiden looked at many plant tissues in 1838 and found cells in each. Which part of cell theory does this support, and why?
- Part 3, because the cells formed from the plant's sap
- Part 1, because the plant tissues were made of cells
- Part 2, because each tissue was one living cell
- Part 3, because Schleiden watched cells divide
Bo reads that in 1674 Leeuwenhoek saw single-celled organisms swim in lake water. Which part does this best support, and why?
- Part 2, because one cell on its own can be a living thing
- Part 1, because the organisms were made of many different cells
- Part 3, because the organisms formed from lake water
- Part 3, because the organisms were seen dividing
Esme reads that in 1852 Remak published convincing evidence that cells come from other cells by cell division. Which part does this support, and why?
- Part 2, because a dividing cell is the unit of life
- Part 1, because the cells that divided made up a whole tissue
- Part 3, because new cells arose from cells that divided
- Part 3, because new cells formed from nonliving matter
Use this
Microscope facts (real data, OpenStax Biology 2e). Columns: microscope, magnification, resolution, living cells. A light microscope magnifies up to about 400 times and has a resolution of about 200 nanometers; it can view living cells. An electron microscope magnifies up to 100,000 times and has a resolution of 50 picometers; it cannot view living cells.
Jun wants to watch a single-celled organism swim in a drop of water. Which microscope fits, and why?
- Light microscope, because its resolution is 50 picometers
- Light microscope, because it can view living cells
- Electron microscope, because it can view living cells
- Electron microscope, because 100,000 times shows the most
Use this
Microscope magnification (real data, OpenStax Biology 2e). Columns: microscope, magnification. Light microscope: up to about 400 times. Electron microscope: up to 100,000 times.
Luz compares two microscopes. About how many times greater is the electron microscope's top magnification than the light microscope's?
- 25 times
- 400 times
- 99,600 times
- 250 times
Noah finds the gap between events A and B. How many years apart are they, and which came first?
- 6 years; Schwann's work came first
- 26 years; Schwann's work came first
- 16 years; Schwann's work came first
- 16 years; Virchow's essay came first
Which two events on Pia's timeline are closest in time?
Timeline strip from 1830 to 1870, a mark every 10 years. A: Schwann says animals are made of cells (1839). B: Remak shows that cells come from cells by dividing (1852). C: Virchow publishes an essay saying that cells come from cells (1855). D: Pasteur disproves spontaneous generation with a flask experiment (1862). Timeline strip from 1830 to 1870, a mark every 10 years. A: Schwann says animals are made of cells (1839). B: Remak shows that cells come from cells by dividing (1852). C: Virchow publishes an essay saying that cells come from cells (1855). D: Pasteur disproves spontaneous generation with a flask experiment (1862). 1830 1840 1850 1860 1870 A B C D A: Schwann says animals are made of cells (1839) B: Remak shows that cells come from cells by dividing (1852) C: Virchow publishes an essay saying that cells come from cells (1855) D: Pasteur disproves spontaneous generation with a flask experiment (1862) - B and C, 3 years apart
- A and B, 13 years apart
- A and C, 16 years apart
- C and D, 7 years apart
Ren says one person built cell theory. Which statement fits the timeline best?
Timeline strip from 1650 to 1870, a mark every 50 years. A: Hooke names cells in cork (1665). B: Schleiden says plants are made of cells (1838). C: Schwann says animals are made of cells (1839). D: Virchow publishes an essay saying that cells come from cells (1855). Timeline strip from 1650 to 1870, a mark every 50 years. A: Hooke names cells in cork (1665). B: Schleiden says plants are made of cells (1838). C: Schwann says animals are made of cells (1839). D: Virchow publishes an essay saying that cells come from cells (1855). 1650 1700 1750 1800 1850 A B C D A: Hooke names cells in cork (1665) B: Schleiden says plants are made of cells (1838) C: Schwann says animals are made of cells (1839) D: Virchow publishes an essay saying that cells come from cells (1855) - Several scientists added parts between 1665 and 1855
- Hooke finished it in 1665 after seeing living cork cells
- Virchow built it alone in 1855
- Schleiden finished it alone in 1838
Tala says cell theory is just a guess because it is called a theory. Which fact best answers Tala?
- Theories are guesses until a scientific law replaces them one day
- Many scientists tested and confirmed its parts over the years
- A theory is another word for a hypothesis
- It is called a theory because Virchow named it
Zee reads that Schleiden's 1838 idea began as a suggested explanation. After Schwann, Remak and Virchow added evidence, what did cell theory become?
- A hypothesis that still needs its first test
- A guess that gained more names
- A finished idea that Schleiden proved alone
- A tested and confirmed explanation