ChapitreI English Version : Introduction to cytology 2025_2026

The discovery of the cell marks a fundamental milestone in biology and began in the 17th century with the invention of the microscope. In 1665, Robert Hooke first described and named “cells” after observing cork tissue. Later, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek improved microscopic observations and discovered living cells, including bacteria and protozoa. During the 19th century, the work of Matthias Schleiden, Theodor Schwann, and Rudolf Virchow led to the formulation of the cell theory, establishing the cell as the basic structural and functional unit of life. This historical progression laid the foundation for modern cytology and cell biology.