cell are the smallest unit of organisms that can carry out life function. they can live, reproduce, grow, and maintain life. in 1665, Robert Hooke, an English scientist discovered cells while using a lens to visualize thing, such as insects, feathers, and fish scales. he was most interested in outer bark of oak bark to examine under a lens and noted the presence of connected rectangular holes that he called cells. the cork cells he saw were dead because they had only cell walls connected together without any living components inside