Verified Document

Microbiology & Spontaneous Generation Microbiology Is The Essay

Microbiology & Spontaneous Generation Microbiology is the study of microbes that are practically invisible to the human eye. Although microbes are usually associated with causing and aiding disease, they are essential organisms in the ecological world. They allow for life to thrive and are of great interests for food, scientific, and medical industries (Black, 2008). The term microorganism encompasses bacteria, protozoa, fungi, archaea, parasites, algae, prions, and viruses (Nester, Anderson, & Roberts, 2012). Each of these types of microorganism is responsible for everything that can essentially cause illness in living organisms, but are also necessary for the proper functioning of a mammal's digestive tract. However, in early scientific history, as illnesses were being investigated and the cell theory was beginning to emerge, the question about whether life could come out of nowhere was being explored. Because the majority of microorganisms were practically invisible, early microbiologists did not understand the concept of contamination and microbial growth. They instead attributed illness and spoiling to "vital forces" that initiated and allowed for these to develop; these seemed to stem from nothing, therefore, the theory of spontaneous generation was developed (Nester, Anderson, & Roberts, 2012).

In the beginning of the field of microbiology, the theory of spontaneous generation was believed to be true. This theory stated that life can arise from non-living matter (Nester, Anderson, & Roberts, 2012). In early philosophical history before any knowledge of the existence of microorganisms was popular, great thinkers such as Aristotle agreed with the idea that living organisms have the capacity of generating out of nowhere. He believed that nonliving matter gave rise to living organisms through the ability to spontaneously develop some form of life from nothing. This theory was proven over and over again when individuals looking for confirmation on their own rendition of spontaneous generation tested out this hypothesis.

Early scientists recognized...

For example, when maggots were first observed, it was believed that these small creatures arose from nothing when something or someone was exposed and dead. As soon as meat from animal or human flesh was left exposed for an extended period of time, maggots developed and flies grew. In order to prove the theory of spontaneous generation, John Needham designed an experiment where he boiled two broths that he then allowed them to cool down in two covered flasks (Nester, Anderson, & Roberts, 2012). Within a short period of time, microorganisms had infested both sealed flasks. He observed these results and concluded that the non-living liquid broth had itself created life (Black, 2008). Although scientists may have questioned the validity of this theory, not a large enough group existed to merit disproval. This was the case for centuries, until experiments disproving the theory of spontaneous generation arose.
As the popularity with the theory of spontaneous generation declined, scientists such as Francesco Redi set out to design an experiment that would prove that this theory was in fact a false representation of what was actually occurring. He wanted to prove that maggots, which were credited as being the proof of the existence of spontaneous generation, did not just spontaneously appear from rotting meat. In order to do this, Redi took two jars and filled them with meat that had rotted. One jar was left opened so that flies would have the opportunity to land on the meat and lay their eggs (Nester, Anderson, & Roberts, 2012). This is what Redi thought initiated the growth of maggots, not spontaneity. The second jar was sealed tightly so that nothing would be able to penetrate the jar and initiate growth. This in fact did occur. The jar that was sealed and never opened did not show any signs of life, while the one that was opened produced maggots and eventually flies (Nester, Anderson, & Roberts, 2012). However, these results did not convince skeptics who argued that no growth occurred because air…

Sources used in this document:
References:

Nester, E., Anderson, D., & Roberts, C.E. (2012).Microbiology: A human perspective. (7th ed). New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Black, J.G. (2008). Microbiology, principles and explorations. (7th ed). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Microbiology Case Study E. Coli
Words: 1887 Length: 4 Document Type: Case Study

Question 14 The main criteria that should be considered is the type of infection based on microbiological evidence. Additionally, it is important to determine whether or not there was onsite mishandling which may have led to E. coli being present on particular products. The scope of the outbreak would also be important, as it would show either a local outbreak, or a more widespread one that would indicate a larger producer. Question

Lesson Plan Amp; Reflection I Didn't Know
Words: 857 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Lesson Plan Amp; Reflection I didn't know what state you are in so was unable to do state/district standards! Lesson Plan Age/Grade Range; Developmental Level(s): 7-8/2nd Grade; Below grade level Anticipated Lesson Duration: 45 Minutes Lesson Foundations Pre-assessment (including cognitive and noncognitive measures): All students are reading below grade level (5-7 months) as measured by standardized assessments and teacher observation Curricular Focus, Theme, or Subject Area: Reading: Fluency, word recognition, and comprehension State/District Standards: Learning Objectives: Students will develop

Branding New Service Dominant Logic
Words: 12522 Length: 50 Document Type: Dissertation

Branding in Service Markets Amp Aim And Objectives Themes for AMP Characteristics Composing Branding Concept Branding Evolution S-D Logic and Service Markets Branding Challenges in Service Markets Considerations for Effective Service Branding Categories and Themes Branding Theory Evolution S-D Logic and Service Markets Branding Challenges in Service Markets Considerations for Effective Service Branding Branding Concept Characteristics Characteristics Composing Branding Concept Sampling of Studies Reviewed Evolution of Branding Theory Evolution of Marketing Service-Brand-Relationship-Value Triangle Brand Identity, Position & Image Just as marketing increasingly influences most aspects of the consumer's lives, brands

Spontaneous Order, Robert Sugden Argues That Certain
Words: 794 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Spontaneous Order," Robert Sugden argues that certain patterns of behavior that can lead to certain economic structures or activities can arise spontaneously in communities of individuals. These structures, such as a seemingly random system of driftwood ownership rights in Yorkshire, survive because they are easily replicated, Sugden argues. If this is the case, it would seem that more simplistic economic structures would be more prevalent due to their easier

Spontaneous Human Combustion
Words: 1199 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Spontaneous human combustion is the claim that human beings from time to time burst into flame and are consumed, usually without much damage to their surroundings, as if the heat from the flame came from inside their bodies. These claims have been made for a long time, fueled by newspaper accounts of such deaths and vague statements about there being no other apparent means for these fires to have started.

Generation X And Y
Words: 1291 Length: 3 Document Type: Research Paper

Generation X and Y The diverse workforce means that there are multiple generations in the same workplace. Recent research regarding generational differences has found common generational attributes. These generational commonalities may be found in varying degrees, and are not indicative of "all persons of that age grouping." The traditionalists, born between 1925 and 1945, will stay in a position until they retire and don't always welcome change. Baby boomers (1946-1964), the largest group,

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now