BIOGENESIS vs.

ABIOGENESIS
Biology Evolves Into A Science

BIOGENESIS vs. ABIOGENESIS

From Ancient times up to the 19th century, living organisms were believed to arise from nonliving matter. This belief is known as abiogenesis or spontaneous generation.

BIOGENESIS vs. ABIOGENESIS

The belief in abiogenesis was based on observations:
Snakes and frogs arising from the mud of river banks. Mice and rats appearing in garbage. Worms appearing in stored grains and other foods.

BIOGENESIS vs. ABIOGENESIS

In middle 1600s, Italian physician Francesco Redi was first to challenge abiogenesis. Many believed maggots were a type of worm that arose from rotting meat. Redi made careful and detailed observations of rotting meat and believed the maggots were actually the larvae of flies that laid eggs on the meat.

BIOGENESIS vs. ABIOGENESIS

Redis Hypothesis: maggots arose from fly eggs. If flies were deprived of chance to lay eggs on raw meat, no larvae would arise. Exp 1: Raw meat placed in open jars (control) and in sealed jars. Results: maggots found on exposed meat only. Conclusion: Maggots arose from flies.

BIOGENESIS vs. ABIOGENESIS

BIOGENESIS vs. ABIOGENESIS

Some argued that fresh air was required for spontaneous generation and the sealed jars prevented this. Revised Hypothesis: meat isolated from flies but not fresh air would not product maggots. Exp 2: Raw meat placed in open jars (control) and in jars covered with gauze.

BIOGENESIS vs. ABIOGENESIS

Results: Maggots found on meat of open jars. No maggots found on meat in gauze covered jars but flies did lay eggs on the gauze which eventually hatched into maggots. Redis Conclusion: life arises from life (Biogenesis).

BIOGENESIS vs. ABIOGENESIS

BIOGENESIS vs. ABIOGENESIS

In 1745, English scientist John Needham boiled different types of meat broth then sealed them Several days later, he observed microorganisms which he believed arose from the broth (abiogenesis).

BIOGENESIS vs. ABIOGENESIS

In 1860, French chemist/microbiologist Louis Pasteur signaled the final demise of abiogenesis. Hypothesis: Nedhams broth had been exposed to microorganisms from the air. If broth had no contact with these microorganisms, it would remain sterile. Experiment: Broth boiled in flask with a bent neck.

BIOGENESIS vs. ABIOGENESIS

Results: air-born microorganisms were trapped in neck of flask - broth remained sterile for months. Conclusion: Life arises only from life (biogenesis).

BIOGENESIS vs. ABIOGENESIS

MODERN CELL THEORY

MODERN CELL THEORY

1. All organisms are composed of one or more cells and the products of these cells. All the life process of metabolism and heredity take place in the cell. Some organisms consists of a single cell. In multi-celled organisms, there may be intercellular material produced by cells.

MODERN CELL THEORY

2. Cells are the smallest unit (division) of life - the basic unit of organization of all living organisms. Cells can be divided into smaller parts but these components are not considered living. Unit of Function: cells carry out ALL life functions. Unit of Growth: all organisms begin as single cell - # cells determines size. Unit of Heredity: all cells are identical to preexisting cells.

MODERN CELL THEORY

3. All cells arise from living cells by the process of cell division. Single cells reproduce by dividing into two cells. Cell division in multi-celled organisms = GROWTH.

MODERN CELL THEORY

4. All cells carry out their own life activities the life activities of multi-celled organisms is the combined effect of the life activities of all its individual cells. Nutrition Transport Respiration

MODERN CELL THEORY

4. All cells carry out their own life activities Synthesis & Assimilation Growth Excretion Regulation Reproduction Metabolism