Scientists know that all living things, from the smallest bacterium to the largest blue whale, are made of cells. Why is this a scientific consensus? Check all that apply. Many scientists have made the same conclusion. There are alternate explanations for the structure of living things. The idea has stood up to repeated testing. The evidence supporting the idea has been shared and discussed.

Scientific consensus on the fact that all living things are made up of cells is based on a few key factors:

1. Many scientists have made the same conclusion: Over the years, numerous researchers using different methods and tools have observed cells in a myriad variety of organisms. The uniformity of these observations across different scientific disciplines and through numerous diverse studies contributes to the robust consensus.

2. The idea has stood up to repeated testing: The cell theory, stating that all living things are composed of cells and that cells are the basic unit of structure and function in living beings, has undergone decades of stringent testing. New discoveries in biology commonly support or build upon this fundamental principle.

3. The evidence supporting the idea has been shared and discussed: Scientists have extensively shared their findings in various scientific platforms such as journals, conferences, and public discussions. The scrutinization and peer-review of this evidence by the scientific community have further strengthened the certainty of the cell theory.

Notably, the following statement does not hold true:

"There are alternate explanations for the structure of living things": While science is always open to new evidence and ideas, thus far, the cell theory has not had any credible alternate explanations that stand up to empirical scrutiny. It's widely accepted because it consistently explains the observations made in biology.

Extra: The consensus on cell theory is foundational in biology and underpins much of our understanding of life processes. Cells are not only the building blocks of all living organisms, but they also carry out the myriad of functions necessary for life. Discoveries leading to this consensus began with the invention of the microscope and the pioneering work of scientists like Robert Hooke and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek who first observed cells in the 1600s. The contributions of later scientists, such as Theodor Schwann, Matthias Schleiden, and Rudolf Virchow, solidified the theory by presenting the three tenets of cell theory: all living things are composed of one or more cells; the cell is the basic unit of life; and all cells arise from existing cells. This consensus is a prime example of the scientific method at work—hypotheses are tested, results are published and peer-reviewed, and the most accurate explanations eventually gain wide acceptance.