spontaneous generation
Noun: * Spontaneous Generation: The obsolete biological theory that living organisms can arise directly and spontaneously from non-living matter, without the need for parents or seeds. This concept was also historically called abiogenesis.
This term is used almost exclusively in historical, philosophical, or educational contexts to describe a once widely-held scientific belief that has been conclusively disproven. * The theory of spontaneous generation held that maggots arose from rotting meat. * Louis Pasteur's experiments in the 19th century provided definitive evidence against spontaneous generation. * The idea of spontaneous generation was used for centuries to explain the origin of life, insects, and microorganisms.
- The phrase is often used in contrast to the modern scientific principle of biogenesis (the observation that living things come only from other living things).
- The rejection of spontaneous generation and the acceptance of biogenesis was a major milestone in biology.
- Abiogenesis (n): This term is a near synonym but has a distinct modern usage. Historically, it was used interchangeably with "spontaneous generation." In contemporary science, it refers specifically to the study of how life arose from non-living matter on the early Earth, which is a separate field of research.
- Biogenesis (n): The opposing principle, stating that life arises only from pre-existing life.
- Abiogenesis (historical sense)
- Autogenesis (less common)
- Theory of spontaneous generation: The full name of the discredited hypothesis.
- Francesco Redi was one of the first scientists to challenge the theory of spontaneous generation.
-
a hypothetical organic phenomenon by which living organisms are created from nonliving matter
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa