Who was the first person to saw and describe a living cell?

The recognition of the first living cells is attributed to Anton van Leeuwenhoek, who was a Dutch scientist and microscopist in the 17th century. He developed powerful magnifying lenses that allowed him to observe tiny organisms in various substances, including pond water and dental plaque.

In 1676, Leeuwenhoek became the first person to describe protozoa and bacteria, referring to them as “animalcules.” His meticulous observations and detailed drawings provided insights into microscopic life forms, laying the groundwork for the field of microbiology. The significance of his work is firmly established, as it was the first time anyone had documented the existence of living cells under the microscope, marking a pivotal moment in biological science.

In contrast, Robert Hooke is known for coining the term "cell" to describe the microscopic structures he observed in cork slices, but he did not view living cells. Rudolf Virchow contributed to cell theory with the idea that all cells arise from pre-existing cells, and Louis Pasteur is renowned for his work on germ theory and pasteurization. While they made significant contributions to biology, they did not observe living cells in the same foundational manner as Leeuwenhoek.