Both living and nonliving things are made of atoms, molecules, and compounds. How are living and nonliving things different? The discovery of the cell was an important step toward answering this question.

THE DISCOVERY OF CELLS

All living things are made up of one or more cells. A cell is the smallest unit that can carry on all of the processes of life. Beginning in the 17th century, curious naturalists were able to use microscopes to study objects too small to be seen with the unaided eye. Their studies led them to propose the cellular basis of life. Read the rest of this entry »