Matthias Schleiden

Matthias Schleiden was a 19th-century German botanist who co-founded the cell theory, which is fundamental to biology. He proposed that all plants are made up of cells, emphasizing their role as the basic unit of life. Schleiden's observations helped establish that cells are essential for both the structure and function of living organisms. His collaboration with Theodor Schwann, who studied animals, expanded the cell theory to include all living things, stating that all organisms are composed of cells. Schleiden's work laid the groundwork for modern cell biology and contributed significantly to our understanding of life.