What did Henri Dutrochet discover?

Answer 1

Most medical students and scientists are aware of the contributions made by the eminent René-joachim-henri Dutrochet to both medicine and to science. René-joachim-henri Dutrochet (dii'tRo'shJ') was a well known French physician, physiologist and botanist during the 1800's; his research offerings to the field of science were many. The information herein is formed from an outline used in my college Cellular Biology term paper, which was written many years ago.

The common French spelling of Dutrochet is du Trochet,and du Trochet is probably the spelling that he used; but Dutrochet seems to be the current version of the name. The following is some general information about Henri Dutrochet, followed by his accomplishments. René-joachim-henri Dutrochet was a French nationalist, born on November 14, 1776; he died on February 4, 1847. Besides being practiced medical physician, he was also a physiologist and a botanist; he is also listed as a biological scientist, a military medical officer in the French Army, and he was also a correspondent with the Royal French Académie des Sciences/Academy of Sciences.

Henri Dutrochet was a well educated, intelligent and ambitious individual; he has broad range of interests. Dutrochet was an accomplished inventor; he was responsible for a remarkable number of inventions during his lifetime. His inventions were the result of his exceptional curiosity; his extraordinary desire to learn new things; his remarkable intelligence and his God-given. He worked as a medical doctor for a number of years, but he gave up his medical practice when decided to devote himself to scientific research. He wrote extensive scientific reports, many of which were published during the 1800's; in addition, he wrote articles for various scientific journals. His offerings to the scientific community were enormous; but in addition to his medical and scientific findings and contributions; he was responsible for a number of inventions that aided medicine and science.

Some of Henri Dutrochet's accomplishments:

Henri Dutrochet discovered the phenomenon of osmosis, and he authored the term "osmosis." He was acknowledged for his discovery. His studies in plant physiology and his findings in osmosis, led him to believe that the process of osmosis worked much like an animal's "respiratory system." His research led to an awareness of cellular respiration and its progression during osmosis, which resulted in the research of plants and their "cellular respiration"; progressing to research of the animal's respiratory system, whereby confirming that there was a similarity between the two.

His plant Biology research allowed him to form another theory, and that theory covered living plant cells. This theory progressed and to include the cells of animal, where he proposed that there was a connection between the living cells of plants and animals. This discovery led to his forming a cell theory, the theory resulted in the conclusion that all organisms, all living cells have a similar relationship. He concluded that there was a relationship between the living cells of animals and the living cells of plants; though which, he proposed that the cells of plants have an individuality. This was the formation of his "cell theory." His research allowed him to conclude that new cells are created and formed within old cells, as they divide. He determined that one cell would divide into two cells, and those cells (each) would divide into two more and so on; an indication that cells reproduced and multiply as they divide. Therefore, Dutrochet suggested that living cells act as a basic building block; these are the building blocks for other cells, whereby, promoting cell growth that result in cell life. Living cells can only come from pre-existing cells. He also surmised that cells can perform and control their function. Dutrochet believed that this was as true in a single-cell organism, as it was in multiple-cell organism; his final summation was that "everything" (living) was/is derived from a cell.

Dutrochet also shared his findings and conclusions on cellular function with the scientific community and the public. As a result of his précis on "cell theory" and his conclusions, he wrote and published,"The Cell is the Fundamental Element of Organization." Dutrochet's findings were revolutionizing and they lead to other important discoveries about living cells, as he continued his research of the living cells found in plants and animals.

Through his research, he discovered that all live cells have a nucleus. The nucleus is at the center of a cell's function; he determined that the nucleus was/is the cell's brain. The "brain" has the job of administrating information and controlling cell function. He also discovered cytoplasmic streaming; he established that there is movement inside living cell. Dutrochet referred to this movement as "streaming," and termed is as cytoplasmic streaming. The movement, "streaming," allows the transfer of nutrients and proteins to traveling throughout the cell's cytoplasm.

Dutrochet uncovered a process, by which living cells have a physical and chemical reaction which causes an organism to grow, reproduce, and convert energy; he termed this process as metabolism. His findings resulted in his writing and publishing, "The Metabolic Coran and Catalytic Switches are Fundamental Elements is the Self-Regulations of the Systemic Metabolic Structure of Cells."

Other finding and inventions that were made by Dutrochet:

Dutrochet invented the Ambulance volante (aka, flying ambulance) this was a horse drawn wood covered wagon that was used to transport the injured off of the battlefield during war. It helped save numerous lives.

Dutrochet was also the first to try to determine a way to infer quantitative measurements.

Dutrochet designed and built the Osmemeter, which he used to ascertain the variations in pressure. It helped him to determine how osmosis worked.

Dutrochet revealed the embryonic similarities between species; during his research of the development of animal embryos, he discovered that there were/are similar physical features between the different species of animals.

Dutrochet also brought to realization a number of other practical procedural techniques, which supported his research; for example, he determined that plant tissues form heat and he discovered a method that allowed him to ascertain the amount of heat that is formed within the plant's tissues.

Dutrochet confirmed the existence of a digestive enzyme (pepsin), which assists in the digestion of dietary proteins.

Dutrochet also established the organic nature of yeast and its probable uses.

Dutrochet was the first to attempt to explain photosynthesis; during his research, he recognized the role of UV light exposure in plant physiology. He concluded that UV light affects the green pigment (chlorophyll) found in plants.

Dutrochet also proved that chlorophyll played an important role in healthy plant growth.