Spontaneous Generation A belief that living things came from non living things. Example of this myth: Eels came from the slime of river bottoms. Maggots came from decaying meat.

Spontaneous Generation These myths were accepted because the scientific method was not used. Two scientists whose experiments disproved spontaneous generation: Francisco Redi Louis Pasteur

Spontaneous Generation (1668) Redi- showed that maggots don’t arise from decaying meat.

Spontaneous Generation 1675 Microorganisms were discovered. Some believed that microorganisms arose spontaneously.

Spontaneous Generation 1864; Pasteur Hypothesized that “spores” were on dust particles in the air. Developed a way to let air in and keep dust out.

Spontaneous Generation Pasteur’s Experiment: 1) Boiled broth (“infusions”) Formed S shaped neck on flask- allowed air in but not dust & microbes. 3) Tilted one flask until broth touched curve and dust.

Spontaneous Generation Results: no growth of microbes in upright flask microbes grew in “tilted” flask

Spontaneous Generation Redi and Pasteur supported the theory of BIOGENESIS new organisms are created from existing organisms.