Field Blog Entry #10 - TOK Point in the Cell Theory (IB Class)

The Cell Theory 

I have finally come upon topic 2 in Biology Standard Level, which is about cells. The cell theory states the following: living organisms are composed of cells, cells are the smallest unit of life and cells come from pre-existing cells. This theory has been developed over time as scientists made discoveries, disproved old theories and developed what we currently know as the cell theory. Scientists first looked through the microscope to study the structures of organisms and discovered that all living organisms were made up of small units, now known as cells. Several experiments conducted by the scientists showed that cells removed from tissues can survive independently for short periods of time. For example, in 1839, Theodor Schwann discovered that animals were made up of cells and stated that “all living things are composed of cells and cell products”. This hypothesis was supported by sufficient evidence and thus became part of the cell theory.

Based on this information, the cell theory raises the question of the difference between a scientific theory and the more general use of the word theory. The nature of scientific theories can be introduced by deciding whether a theory should be discarded when there is clear evidence that it does not offer a full explanation and what kind of evidence needs to be collected in order for a theory to be accepted or rejected. This matter talks about the accumulation of evidence that allows a hypothesis to become theory like the cell theory.