Question

Match Column-I with Column-II and select the correct option from the codes given below. Column-I \(\quad\) Column-II A. Leeuwenhoek (i) First saw and described a living cell B. Robert Brown (ii) Presence of cell wall is unique to plant cells C. Schleiden (iii) Discovered the nucleus D. Schwann (iv) All plants are composed of different kind of cells (a) \(\quad A-(i), B-(i i i), C-(i v), D-(i i)\) (b) \(\mathrm{A}-(\mathrm{i}), \mathrm{B}-(\mathrm{iii}), \mathrm{C}-(\mathrm{ii}), \mathrm{D}-(\mathrm{iv})\) (c) \(\mathrm{A}\)-(iii), B-(i), C-(iv), D-(ii) (d) \(\mathrm{A}-(\mathrm{i}), \mathrm{B}-(\mathrm{iv}), \mathrm{C}-(\mathrm{ii}), \mathrm{D}-(\mathrm{iii})\)

Short answer

The correct option is (b) A-(i), B-(iii), C-(ii), D-(iv).

Step-by-step solution

Matching Leeuwenhoek

Leeuwenhoek is known for being one of the first individuals to observe and describe single-celled organisms using a microscope of his own design, which relates to seeing and describing living cells.

Matching Robert Brown

Robert Brown is well known for his discovery of the nucleus in the cell. Thus, he should be matched with the item that mentions the discovery of the nucleus.

Matching Schleiden

Schleiden, along with Schwann, is credited with developing the cell theory. Schleiden's contribution was the conclusion that all plants are made of cells. So he should be matched with the statement related to plant cells.

Matching Schwann

Schwann is known for extending Schleiden's cell theory to animals, and stating that all animals are also composed of cells. He is also known for stating that the presence of the cell wall is unique to plant cells.

Selecting the Correct Option

Using the information from the previous steps, we find that: A should be matched with (i), B with (iii), C with (iv), and D with (ii). Thus, the correct option is the one that reflects these matches.

Key concepts

Leeuwenhoek's Single-Celled Organisms

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch tradesman and scientist, was a pioneer in the field of microscopy and is often considered the 'Father of Microbiology'. His curiosity and skillful craftsmanship enabled him to create microscopes powerful enough to see tiny single-celled organisms, which he charmingly termed 'animalcules'.

Leeuwenhoek's extensive observations of the microbial world led to the first descriptions of bacteria, protozoa, sperm cells, and blood cells. His meticulous records and drawings opened up a previously invisible world to human eyes. These discoveries were foundational to the understanding of life at its most basic level - the cell. In today's education, his work serves as a historical cornerstone, reminding us of the vastness of life on a scale that transcends human perception.

Robert Brown's Nucleus Discovery

Robert Brown was a Scottish botanist whose work laid the groundwork for the understanding of cell structure. His pivotal discovery came in 1831 when he observed a darkly stained area within plant cells, which he called the 'nucleus'. This discovery was significant because the nucleus plays a critical role in cell function and genetics, housing the majority of a cell's genetic material.

Today, we appreciate the nucleus as the command center of eukaryotic cells, orchestrating cell activities and storing DNA. Brown's discovery of the nucleus was a monumental step in cellular biology that resonated through subsequent scientific research, impacting fields ranging from genetics to medicine. His work is a classical example of how a single observation can profoundly alter scientific understanding.

Schleiden and Schwann's Cell Theory

The unified Cell Theory, which underpins all of modern biology, owes its development to the collaborative efforts of Matthias Jakob Schleiden and Theodor Schwann. Schleiden, a botanist, put forth the idea in 1838 that all plant tissues are composed of cells. The following year, Schwann, a zoologist, extended this concept to animals, declaring that all living things are made up of cells.

Their integrated theory established three fundamental principles: all living organisms are composed of one or more cells; the cell is the most basic unit of life; and all cells arise from pre-existing, living cells. These principles have stood the test of time, becoming essential cornerstones of biology. Schleiden and Schwann's work exemplifies the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and serves as an enduring reminder of the unity of life on Earth.