Unit 6 - Evolution
Essential Question: How do populations change over time to survive in different environmental conditions?
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The Myth of Spontaneous Generation
Spontaneous generation theory is a myth. It is a false idea that was once a widely accepted belief in the scientific community. Its ideas were so strong that it took multiple experiments by several different scientists to disprove the theory and start to shift the mindset about how living things arise.
Spontaneous generation theory says living things can arise or come from non-living things. In the microbial world, it was believed the microorganisms could be created from a fluid such as a beef broth. This is because a beef broth left out would inevitably begin growing microorganisms that scientists observed using their microscopes. These microbes did not come from the broth however as the scientists of the time believed. In reality, the microorganisms were either in the broth already (in small amounts) or landed in the broth from the air. Once even one cell was present in the beef broth, the broth could be used by the cells as a source of nutrients they used to be able to grow, divide, and produce a robust pyopulation of microorganisms that could then be seen with the microscope.
LibreText Biology 1.3 The Myth of Spontaneous Generation
Spontaneous generation theory says living things can arise or come from non-living things. In the microbial world, it was believed the microorganisms could be created from a fluid such as a beef broth. This is because a beef broth left out would inevitably begin growing microorganisms that scientists observed using their microscopes. These microbes did not come from the broth however as the scientists of the time believed. In reality, the microorganisms were either in the broth already (in small amounts) or landed in the broth from the air. Once even one cell was present in the beef broth, the broth could be used by the cells as a source of nutrients they used to be able to grow, divide, and produce a robust pyopulation of microorganisms that could then be seen with the microscope.
LibreText Biology 1.3 The Myth of Spontaneous Generation