The document discusses cell theory, which has three main tenets: 1) All organisms are composed of one or more cells, 2) The cell is the basic unit of life, and 3) All cells come from preexisting cells. It describes the early discoveries of cells by Hooke, van Leuwenhoek, Schleiden, and Schwann that led to the development of cell theory. It also briefly explains different types of microscopes used to study cells, such as compound, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopes.