Question

Which of the following statements supports Francesco Redi’s experimental conclusion that ""spontaneous generation cannot occur""?

A. Maggots did not develop on meat that was covered with gauze.
B. Maggots did not develop on meat that was in a sealed jar.
C. Maggots did not develop on dead maggots or flies.
D. Maggots did not develop on meat that was in a jar with fresh air

Answer 1

Option A: Maggots did not develop on meat that was covered with gauze supports Redi's conclusion that spontaneous generation cannot occur.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that supports Francesco Redi's experimental conclusion that "spontaneous generation cannot occur" is option A: Maggots did not develop on meat that was covered with gauze.

Francesco Redi performed an experiment where he left meat in different containers, some open to the air, some covered with gauze, and some tightly sealed. Maggots developed only in the uncovered jars, while no maggots appeared in either the gauze-covered or tightly sealed jars. This led Redi to conclude that maggots could only form when flies were allowed to lay eggs in the meat, and not through spontaneous generation.