1. 1 Origin of Life

2. 2 Aristotle (384 –322 BC) Proposed the theory of spontaneous generation Also called abiogenesis Idea that living things can arise from nonliving matter Idea lasted almost 2000 years

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4. 4 Spontaneous Generation For centuries, people based their beliefs on their interpretations of what they saw going on in the world around them without testing their ideas They didn’t use the scientific method to arrive at answers to their questions They didn’t use the scientific method to arrive at answers to their questions Their conclusions were based on untested observations

5. 5 Examples of Spontaneous Generation

6. 6 Example #1 Observation: Every year in the spring, the Nile River flooded areas of Egypt along the river, leaving behind nutrient-rich mud that enabled the people to grow that year’s crop of food. However, along with the muddy soil, large numbers of frogs appeared that weren’t around in drier times

7. 7 Example #1 Conclusion: It was perfectly obvious to people back then that muddy soil gave rise to the frogs

8. 8 Example #2 Observation: In many parts of Europe, medieval farmers stored grain in barns with thatched roofs (like Shakespeare’s house). As a roof aged, it was not uncommon for it to start leaking. This could lead to spoiled or moldy grain, and of course there were lots of mice around.

9. 9 Example #2 It was obvious to them that the mice came from the moldy grain. Conclusion: It was obvious to them that the mice came from the moldy grain.

10. 10 Example #3 Observation: In the cities centuries ago, there were no sewers, no garbage trucks, no electricity, and no refrigeration. Sewage flowed down the streets, and chamber pots and left over food were thrown out into the streets each morning. Many cities also had major rat problems and a disease called Bubonic plague.

11. 11 Example #3 Conclusion: Obviously, all the sewage and garbage turned into the rats Conclusion: Obviously, all the sewage and garbage turned into the rats.

12. 12 Example #4 Observation: Since there were no refrigerators, the mandatory, daily trip to the butcher shop, especially in summer, meant battling the flies around the carcasses. Typically, carcasses were “hung by their heels,” and customers selected which chunk the butcher would carve off for them.

13. 13 Example #4 Obviously, the rotting meat that had been hanging in the sun all day was the source of the flies. Conclusion: Obviously, the rotting meat that had been hanging in the sun all day was the source of the flies.

14. 14 Disproving Spontaneous Generation

15. 15 Francesco Redi (1668) In 1668, Francesco Redi, an Italian physician, did an experiment with flies and wide- mouth jars containing meat

16. 16 Redi’s Experiment Redi used open & closed flasks which contained meat. His hypothesis was that rotten meat does not turn into flies. His hypothesis was that rotten meat does not turn into flies. He observed these flasks to see in which one(s) maggots would develop. He observed these flasks to see in which one(s) maggots would develop.

17. 17 Redi’s Findings He found that if a flask was closed with a lid so adult flies could not get in, no maggots developed on the rotting meat within. In a flask without a lid, maggots soon were seen in the meat because adult flies had laid eggs and more adult flies soon appeared. In a flask without a lid, maggots soon were seen in the meat because adult flies had laid eggs and more adult flies soon appeared.

18. 18 Redi’s (1626-1697) Experiments Evidence against spontaneous generation: 1. Unsealed – maggots on meat 2. Sealed – no maggots on meat 3. Gauze – few maggots on gauze, none on meat

19. 19 Results of Redi’s Experiments The results of this experiment disproved the idea of spontaneous generation for larger organisms, but people still thought microscopic organisms like algae or bacteria could arise that way.

20. 20 Francesco Redi

21. 21 Disproving Spontaneous Generation of Microbes

22. 22 Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1674) Leeuwenhoek began making and looking through simple microscopes He often made a new microscope for each specimen He examined water and visualized tiny animals, fungi, algae, and single celled protozoa; “animalcules” By end of 19 th century, these organisms were called microbes

23. 23 Anton van Leeuwenhoek 1632-1723

24. 24 Leeuwenhoek’s Microscope

25. 25 Lazzaro Spallanzani’s (1765) Boiled soups for almost an hour and sealed containers by melting the slender necks closed Boiled soups for almost an hour and sealed containers by melting the slender necks closed. The soups remained clear. Later, he broke the seals & the soups became cloudy with microbes.

26. 26 Spallanzani’s Results

27. 27Conclusion Critics said sealed vials did not allow enough air for organisms to survive and that prolonged heating destroyed “life force” Therefore, spontaneous generation remained the theory of the time

28. 28 The Theory Finally Changes

29. 29 How Do Microbes Arise? By 1860, the debate had become so heated that the Paris Academy of Sciences offered a prize for any experiments that would help resolve this conflict The prize was claimed in 1864 by Louis Pasteur, as he published the results of an experiment he did to disproved spontaneous generation in microscopic organisms

30. 30 Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)

31. 31 Pasteur's Problem Hypothesis: Microbes come from cells of organisms on dust particles in the air; not the air itself. Pasteur put broth into several special S-shaped flasks Each flask was boiled and placed at various locations

32. 32 Pasteur's Experiment - Step 1 S-shaped Flask Filled with broth The special shaped was intended to trap any dust particles containing bacteria

33. 33 Pasteur's Experiment - Step 2 Flasks boiled Flasks boiled Microbes Killed Microbes Killed

34. 34 Pasteur's Experiment - Step 3 Flask left at various locations Did not turn cloudy Did not turn cloudy Microbes not found Notice the dust that collected in the neck of the flask

35. 35 Pasteur's Experimental Results

36. 36 Pasteur’s S-shaped flask kept microbes out but let air in. Proved microbes only come from other microbes (life from life) - biogenesis The Theory of Biogenesis Figure 1.3

37. 37 Review

38. 38 1668: Francisco Redi filled six jars with decaying meat. Evidence Pro and Con Conditions:Results: 3 jars covered with fine net No maggots 3 open jars Maggots appeared From where did the maggots come? What was the purpose of the sealed jars? Spontaneous generation or biogenesis?

39. 39 1745: John Needham put boiled nutrient broth into covered flasks. Evidence Pro and Con Conditions:Results: Nutrient broth heated, then placed in sealed flask Microbial growth From where did the microbes come? Spontaneous generation or biogenesis?

40. 40 1765: Lazzaro Spallanzani boiled nutrient solutions in flasks. Evidence Pro and ConConditions:Results: Nutrient broth placed in flask, heated, then sealed No microbial growth Spontaneous generation or biogenesis?

41. 41 1861: Louis Pasteur demonstrated that microorganisms are present in the air. Evidence Pro and Con Conditions:Results: Nutrient broth placed in flask, heated, not sealed Microbial growth Nutrient broth placed in flask, heated, then sealed No microbial growth Spontaneous generation or biogenesis?

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