Question

Describe the ‘theory” of Spontaneous Generation and how Francesco Redi and Louis Pasteur disproved the theory, using the process of scientific method in approx 600 words pleas, thanks

Answer 1

Spontaneous Theory:-

From earliest time,people believe that any living orgamism might originated spontaneously from inanimate object like soil, air.

This spontaneous view of was challenged by Francesco Redi. Redi carried out a experimental series on decaying meat and it's ability to produced maggots spontaneously. He placed 3 meat container :- 1st was uncovered, 2nd was covered with paper and 3rd was cover with a fine gauze. When flies laid eggs one uncoverd container then maggots developed. But other container meat did not produced maggots, because flies were laid their eggs on the gauze, but not enter to the meat. Thus the generation of maggots must be resulted from the presence of flies egg not spontaneously.

Finally ,Louis Pasteur disproved this theory by his swan-necked flask experiment. First he placed the nutrient solution into the swan-necked flask and boiled the nutrient solution with flask. Next cool the solution and while keeping the ends of the neck open to atmosphere such a way that air could reenter but the bend in the neck present air particle. In this flask no growth was observed. But when other flask were kept in such a way that microorganisms/air particles laden dust can contacts sterile nutrient solution. Microbial growth was observed only this flask.pasteur this experiment settled the spontaneous generation/Theory of abiogenesis controversy forever.

Hope you understand.