Robert Hooke discovered the - of a cell

Options

A. cell membrane
B. Nucleus
C. cell wall
D. cytoplasm

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Robert Hooke's Contribution**: Robert Hooke is credited with the discovery of the cell in 1665. He observed small compartments in a thin slice of cork.

2. **Observation Details**: Hooke used a microscope to look at the cork and noticed that it was made up of tiny, empty compartments. He described these compartments as resembling small rooms, which he termed "cells."

3. **Nature of the Observed Structures**: The compartments Hooke observed were actually the dead cell walls of plant cells. He did not observe living cells or their organelles, but rather the rigid structure of the cell wall.

4. **Terminology**: The term "cell" that Hooke coined comes from the Latin word "cella," meaning a small room. This term has since become fundamental in biology.

5. **Conclusion**: Given the options provided (cell membrane, nucleus, cell wall, cytoplasm), the correct answer to the question "Robert Hooke discovered the - of a cell" is "cell wall."

**Final Answer**: Robert Hooke discovered the cell wall of a cell.

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