Question

The theory of a vitalism has been rejected by present-day scientist. Describe vitalism. Describe what scientists now think about the basis of life and why they rejected the theory of vitalism.

Answer 1

Vitalism was the antiquated belief that all life can be derived from dihydrogen oxide compounds dating back to the paleozoic time era. Scientist now know and accept that life is dynamic and fundamental to the origins of heterotrophic processes. It was rejected when Francesco Redi developed photosynthetic filaments from prokaryotic organisms found in primordial sludge.

Answer 2

On the basis of the theory of vitalism, all the living things are specific and are distinct from the non-living components as they comprise a unique entity within themselves. This soul or entity distinguishes them from the non-living counterparts. Both of them are monitored by a distinct set of principles.

However, the theory got rejected when Wohler became successful in obtaining urea from the non-living substance, thus, suggesting the point that the biological constituents can also be obtained from the non-living counterparts. The present scientists now consider that the living components are just more composite in comparison to the non-living constituents.