Cell theory states that all living things are made of cells, cells are the basic unit of structure and function, and all cells come from pre-existing cells. Key contributors included Robert Hooke, who first observed cells under a microscope in 1665, Matthias Schleiden who concluded that plants are made of cells in 1838, and Theodore Schwann who found that animals are also made of cells in 1839. They combined with Rudolf Virchow to develop the three tenets of cell theory: 1) all organisms are composed of cells, 2) the cell is the basic functional unit, and 3) all cells come from pre-existing cells. Modern interpretations retain these concepts and also recognize cells contain DNA and RNA and