For centuries scientists found evidence that supports the theory of spontaneous generation. Which of the following supported this theory?(1 point)
Responses
There are several responses to this question, as different scientists and observations have contributed to the theory of spontaneous generation at different points in history. Here are some examples:
- Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle believed in the concept of spontaneous generation and argued that living organisms could arise from non-living matter. He observed the apparent generation of insects, such as bees and wasps, from decaying matter.
- Italian physician and biologist Francesco Redi conducted an experiment in the 17th century that provided evidence against spontaneous generation. He placed meat in jars, leaving some open to the air and others sealed. The meat in the open jars attracted maggots, while the sealed jars remained free of maggots. This experiment suggested that maggots were not spontaneously generated but were instead coming from eggs laid by flies.
- Dutch scientist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek observed microorganisms through his microscope in the 17th century. Although he did not specifically focus on spontaneous generation, his observations of tiny organisms in various substances challenged the idea that life could only come from pre-existing life.
- French scientist Louis Pasteur conducted experiments in the mid-19th century that definitively disproved spontaneous generation. He designed a series of flasks with curved necks, called swan-neck flasks, that allowed air to enter but prevented any dust or particles from reaching the liquid inside. He boiled the liquid in the flask, killing any existing microorganisms, and observed that no new life forms appeared in the sterile environment, even over extended periods of time. These experiments provided strong evidence against the theory of spontaneous generation.
Overall, while there was evidence and observations that initially supported the theory of spontaneous generation, subsequent experiments and scientific advancements have disproven the concept and established the principle of biogenesis, which states that life can only arise from pre-existing life.
The sun rising in the east and seeing in the west.
The sun rising in the east and seeing in the west.
Maggots appearing on rotten meat.
Maggots appearing on rotten meat.
The swan-next flask experiment.
The swan-next flask experiment.
All living things are made of cells.
The statement "All living things are made of cells" does not support the theory of spontaneous generation. In fact, it counters it as it aligns with the idea of biogenesis, which asserts that life can only come from pre-existing life. The discovery of cells and the understanding of their role in living organisms further disproved the concept of spontaneous generation.
A) The sun rising in the east and setting in the west is a natural phenomenon that does not support the theory of spontaneous generation. It is unrelated to the origin of life and the generation of living organisms.
B) Maggots appearing on rotten meat was initially thought to be evidence supporting spontaneous generation. However, experiments conducted by Francesco Redi in the 17th century, as mentioned earlier, showed that maggots were actually produced from eggs laid by flies, not spontaneously generated from the decaying meat. Therefore, this observation does not support the theory of spontaneous generation.
C) The swan-neck flask experiment, conducted by Louis Pasteur in the 19th century, provided strong evidence against spontaneous generation. By demonstrating that no new life forms appeared in a sterile environment, even over extended periods of time, Pasteur refuted the belief that life could spontaneously generate from non-living matter. Thus, this experiment directly contradicts the theory of spontaneous generation.
Which piece of empirical evidence is qualitative data?(1 point)
Responses
The bicycle speed is 12 miles per hour.
The bicycle speed is 12 miles per hour.
The soup tastes salty.
The soup tastes salty.
The tree is eight feet tall.
The tree is eight feet tall.
The water temperature is 80ºF.
The response "The soup tastes salty" is an example of qualitative data. Qualitative data refers to descriptive observations or subjective characteristics that cannot be measured numerically. In this case, the taste of the soup is a subjective observation and does not have a specific numerical value.
How did new evidence found by Marie Tharp and Bruce Heezen add onto continental drift and create the theory of plate tectonics? (1 point)
Responses
They proposed that mountain ranges at the edge of continents helped explain how continents used to fit together.
They proposed that mountain ranges at the edge of continents helped explain how continents used to fit together.
They showed fossils of the same organism on multiple continents helped explain how continents float on the mantle.
They showed fossils of the same organism on multiple continents helped explain how continents float on the mantle.
They showed what the oceans’ floors looked like helped explain how continents move over time.
They showed what the oceans’ floors looked like helped explain how continents move over time.
They proposed that continents are pieces of the Earth's crust floating on top of the mantle.
The statement "They proposed that continents are pieces of the Earth's crust floating on top of the mantle" accurately describes how the new evidence found by Marie Tharp and Bruce Heezen added onto continental drift and created the theory of plate tectonics. Through their work in mapping the ocean floors, Tharp and Heezen discovered the presence of mid-ocean ridges and deep-sea trenches. This evidence supported the concept that the Earth's crust is made up of several large plates that float on the semi-fluid mantle beneath. These plates can move and interact with each other, causing various geological phenomena such as earthquakes and the formation of mountain ranges. Their findings were instrumental in developing the theory of plate tectonics, expanding on the original idea of continental drift proposed by Alfred Wegener.
Which word best describes the statement that mass is neither made nor destroyed by chemical reactions or physical changes?(1 point)
Responses
hypothesis
hypothesis
theory
theory
law
law
experiment