Question

In 1668, Francesco Redi conducted an experiment with jars of meat. This experiment was noteworthy because it _____.

Answer 1

Answer: Disproved that life can generate from nonlife.

Explanation:

• The theory of spontaneous generation stated that life could arise from nonliving objects.
• To test this theory, Redi conducted an experiment in which he took jars and placed a piece of meat in them. He covered some jars with a muslin cloth and left some of them open.
• After some time he observed that maggots developed only in the open jars and not in the covered ones.
• From this, he was able to conclude that life did not spontaneously originate from non-living matter because had it been the case, the covered jars would also have the maggots but since the flies could no enter the jar there were no maggots in them.