Question

The statement Omnis cellula e cellula of Rudolph Virchow has been taken from his book
A. Cellular Pathology
B. Scala Naturae
C. Cellular Potency
D. Micrographia

Answer 1

Omnis cellula e cellula, states that each cell is derived from a pre-existing cell by division, is the culmination of a profound insight of the late nineteenth century and a dictum articulated by the German pathologist Rudolf Virchow.

Complete answer: Rudolf Virchow was a German pathologist who published his classical book called "Cellular Pathology". In this book, he asserted that the functional unit of life, i.e. cells were the primary set of disease and cancer. He gave the concept that new cells arise from the pre-existing cells in diseased and healthy tissues. The statement “Omnis cellula e cellula” refers to the fact that every cell derives from preexisting cells. Matthias Schleiden, a German botanist, tested a various number of plants and observed that all plants are made up of different kinds of cells which form different tissues of plants. At that time, a British Zoologist, Theodore Schwann, studied different types of animal cells and reported that cells have an outer thin layer which is known as the plasma membrane. He also finalized that the cell wall is a unique character of the plant cells. Based on this, Schwann proposed the hypothesis that the animal and plant bodies are made up of cells and products of cells. Schleiden and Schwann together gave this cell theory. This theory, however, did not explain how new cells were formed. But Rudolf Virchow explained that cell division and new cells are formed from the pre-existing cells. He changed the hypothesis given by Schleiden and Schwann to give the cell theory a final shape. The cell theory is understood as:
a) All living organisms are made up of cells
b) All cells arise from pre-existing cells
c) Cells carry genetic material that is passed on to the next generation
Thus, the correct answer is option A.

Note: Rudolph Virchow, who proposed the new Cell theory, is also known as the father of modern pathology as well as the father of modern medicine. He also developed a standard method of autopsy procedure and this technique is still used by the modern day's pathologist.