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Correct Answer: virchow
the correct answer to the question "which of the following persons proposed that new cells arise only from previously existing cells, thus disputing the idea of spontaneous generation?" is rudolf virchow. in 1858, virchow articulated this fundamental concept, which helped to refute the previously held belief in spontaneous generation—the idea that living organisms could arise from nonliving matter.
virchow's statement that "omnis cellula e cellula" (every cell from a cell) emphasized the continuity of life, asserting that all cells proliferate through the division of pre-existing cells. this principle became a cornerstone of modern cellular biology and helped shift scientific consensus towards a more empirical understanding of organismal reproduction and development.
other individuals mentioned in the context, such as robert hooke and antonie van leeuwenhoek, made significant contributions to science but in different areas related to cell theory. hooke, for instance, coined the term "cell" after observing the structure of cork under a microscope, but his focus was primarily on the description of dead cells. on the other hand, leeuwenhoek is renowned for his improvements to the microscope and for being among the first to observe microorganisms, including bacteria, which he described from dental scrapings.
matthias schleiden, another figure in the development of cell theory, posited that all plants are composed of cells, thereby contributing to the cell theory primarily from a botanical perspective. however, it was virchow who explicitly connected cell generation to the division of existing cells, directly challenging any residual acceptance of spontaneous generation within the scientific community. thus, his contributions were critical in advancing our understanding of cellular biology and the propagation of life at the cellular level.
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