Animal cells are Eukaryota, so they are not the first examples of cells.
Archaebacteria, though they are possibly more closely related to eukaryote than bacteria are, do possess more of the hypothesis ancient methods of energy production (like thermoautotrophism and chemotherapeutic) which were prevalent before photosynthesis and aerobic respiration.
Mitochondria are related to bacteria (specifically purple photosynthetic bacteria), and they perform aerobic respiration. Aerobic respiration cannot have been the original method for deriving energy, as it required oxygen - which was not abundant in the atmosphere until photosynthesis evolved.
Chloroplasts are also related to bacteria (cyanobacteria) and they perform photosynthesis. It is currently believed that photosynthesis was not one of the original methods for deriving energy.
So my answer would be archaebacteria.
Bacteria were the first cells.
Scientists first thought of them as small animals. They first observed cells using the microscope and the work of many scientists led to the development of the cell theory.
prokataryotic and autotrophic
snotites
The first scientist to observe cells was Robert Hooke. In 1665, he used a simple microscope to examine thin slices of cork and described the cells he saw as small box-like compartments, which he called "cells." This discovery was documented in his book "Micrographia."
Bacteria were the first cells.
Scientists first thought of them as small animals. They first observed cells using the microscope and the work of many scientists led to the development of the cell theory.
prokataryotic and autotrophic
Cells were first discovered by Robert Hooke in 1665 while examining a slice of cork through his self designed microscope.
antonie van leeuwenhoek
snotites
The microscope was the invention that made it possible for scientists to discover and learn about cells. Its ability to magnify small objects allowed scientists to observe cells for the first time, leading to the development of the cell theory in the 19th century.
Canadian scientists Ernest A. McCulloch and James E. Till
Snotites
Snotites
The development of quality optical lenses allowed the making of microscopes, which permitted scientists to see things as small as typical cells for the first time in human history.
Scientists believe that modern cells called archaea are close relatives of Earth's first cells. Archaea are single-celled organisms that share similarities with the ancient cells that existed billions of years ago. Their ability to thrive in extreme environments suggests they may have characteristics similar to those of early life forms on Earth.