What was the reaction when the cell theory was first introduced.

Many scientists opposed the "cell theory" when it was first introduced because they believed that even "non-living matters" could produce or generate a living tissue. This was called "spontaneous generation." The appearance of the fly's larva (maggots) on meat supported this belief of theirs.

It was Louis Pasteur who was able to disprove this concept.

Explanation:

The discovery of cell came about when the microscope was invented. It was first discovered by Robert Hooke, an English natural philosopher in the 1600s.  However, he wasn't really sure about the structure and function of the cell during his time. It was Anton van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch scientist, who proposed that "motility" is a quality of life.

Developing the cell theory was credited to Theodor Schwann and Matthias Schleiden.