Question

How is abiogenesis theory disproved experimentally?

Answer 1

Hint: Louis Pasteur was an exemplary scientist of his time who invented the technique of pasteurization which is still used now to make pasteurized milk. His experiment to disprove spontaneous generation changed the perception of origin of life.

Complete answer:
Abiogenesis refers to a mechanism by which living things originate from non- living things spontaneously. This idea was proposed by Aristotle and is known commonly as theory of spontaneous generation. The idea was believed true for a long time because it supported the idea that God made humans from non-living things such as sand.

Scientific studies such as that of Louis Pasteur showed that living things could not spontaneously produce from inanimate objects with the introduction of laboratory instruments and microbial techniques. Just living things can arise from another life by the process of reproduction. Thus the spontaneous generation hypothesis became outdated and the biogenesis hypothesis became more generally accepted.

Louis Pasteur Experiment:

Louis Pasteur conducted the theory of biogenesis to state that life arises from pre-existing life. He conducted an experiment using an S-shaped flask known as a swan neck flask. He added broth enriched with the nutrients in one of the bottles and boiled it. The process of boiling to kill any germs present is called pasteurisation. He left the infusion undisturbed for some time. After the prescribed time he found that the broth colour had not changed. Since the flask had S- shaped neck bend the germs were not able to enter the same, thus preventing contamination of liquid.

He repeated the experiment again by tipping the particles into the flask body. This time he has seen that the germs come to the infusion and spoiled it completely. Hence he stated that different germs in the air disturbs the broth. Thus he stated that the theory of spontaneous generation is not correct which tells that living organisms arise from non- living matter too. He concluded that with biogenesis the new living things can be created through reproduction.

Hence, Louis Pasteur disproved the abiogenesis theory experimentally.

Note: Louis Pasteur is a French scientist who is now known as father of immunology. The theory of spontaneous generation was also disproved by showing maggots didn’t arise out from a dirty cloth unless there were maggot eggs present in it already.