What did Schwann contribute to cell theory?

The contribution of Schwann to cell theory is significant in that he proposed that all animals are composed of cells. This idea is foundational to the understanding of biology, as it helped to establish the concept that cells are the basic unit of life for all living organisms.

Schwann’s work came in conjunction with that of Matthias Schleiden, who stated that all plants are also made of cells. Together, their findings underscored the idea that both plants and animals share a common cellular structure, thereby enhancing the overall concept of cell theory. This mutual relationship between plant and animal cells marks an essential point in the development of biological sciences by emphasizing that the building blocks of life across diverse organisms are fundamentally the same.

The other statements presented do not accurately represent Schwann's contributions to cell theory. The notion that all cells must contain nuclei, the assertion that cells cannot arise from other cells, and the distinction between plant and animal cell types were explored by other scientists and are not central to Schwann's foundational findings.