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Used a 3-lens microscope system. Examined the structure of a cork; saw many empty chambers which he called "cells."
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Used a single-lens microscope. Was the first to see the movement of different types of single cells that we know as bacteria, sperm, and unicellular protozoa; named them "animalcules."
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Questioned spontaneous generation. Observed that: an open flask with raw meat grew maggots, a closed flask with raw meat grew no maggots. Spontaneous generation still thrived.
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Boiled chicken broth, sealed it, still found micro-organisms in the liquid. Suggested that a life force that produced spontaneous generation.
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Identified an important cell structure: an opaque spot which he called the 'nucleus.'
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Proposed that all plants and amilas were composed of cells and that the cell was the basic unit of all organisms. Created the cell theory.
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Bent the neck of the flask, with broth inside of it, into an "S" shape; air could reach broth but micro-organisms could not.