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Theory of Biogenesis
Theory of Biogenesis
Explanation
Bio-Life
Genesis-beginning
The theory of biogenesis says that living things come from other living things. It means that life
doesn't just appear from non-living things. This idea goes against the old belief that life can
spontaneously generate (abiogenesis). Biogenesis says that living things have babies and pass on
their traits to them, so life keeps going. Scientists have lots of evidence to support this theory.
Support
One famous experiment was performed by Louis Pasteur in the 19th century. He designed a flask
with a long, curved neck that allowed air to enter but prevented dust and microorganisms from
reaching the liquid inside. Pasteur boiled the liquid to kill any existing organisms and then observed
that no new life forms appeared in the flask over time. This experiment demonstrated that life does
not spontaneously generate from non-living matter. Other experiments have also been conducted,
such as showing that sterilized environments remain free of living organisms unless exposed to new
sources of life. These experiments provide evidence supporting the idea that life only arises from
pre-existing life.