I. Biogenesis or Abiogenesis? Notes Earth's History

Who conducted an experiment to disprove the idea of spontaneous generation of flies from rotted meat?

• Francesco Redi

• Anton van Leeuwenhoek

• Lazzaro Spallanzani

• Louis Pasteur

Answer explanation

Francesco Redi conducted the experiment to disprove the idea of spontaneous generation of flies from rotted meat.

What did Redi's experiment with the covered jar and the uncovered jar demonstrate?

• Mice arise from grain stored in a barn.

• Beetles arise from cow dung.

• Maggots arise from dead, rotted meat.

• Flies produce maggots, and maggots do not spontaneously arise from rotting meat.

Answer explanation

Redi's experiment demonstrated that flies produce maggots, and maggots do not spontaneously arise from rotting meat.

What did Spallanzani's experiment with the sealed and open flasks demonstrate?

• Microorganisms appeared by spontaneous generation from the air.

• Microorganisms are not formed from air but arise from other microorganisms.

• Microorganisms are produced by spontaneous generation.

• The world is teeming with microorganisms.

Answer explanation

Spallanzani's experiment demonstrated that microorganisms are not formed from air but arise from other microorganisms.

What was the conclusion of Spallanzani's experiment?

• The boiled broth in the open flask became contaminated with microorganisms from the air.

• Boiling the broth killed all the microorganisms in the broth.

• Microorganisms were produced by spontaneous generation.

• The flask was sealed, and new air containing the 'vital force' could not enter.

Answer explanation

Spallanzani's experiment concluded that the boiled broth in the open flask became contaminated with microorganisms from the air.

Who finally disproved spontaneous generation once and for all?

• Anton van Leeuwenhoek

• Louis Pasteur

• Lazzaro Spallanzani

• Francesco Redi

Answer explanation

Louis Pasteur finally disproved spontaneous generation once and for all.