Final answer:
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, the father of microbiology, originated from the Renaissance Era (option b). He used simple microscopes to make groundbreaking observations of microorganisms. His era is evidenced by his life's timeline from 1632 to 1723 and his contributions to the early science of microbiology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anton van Leeuwenhoek and the Era He Originated From
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, known as the father of microbiology, was born in 1632 and died in 1723. During his lifetime, he made significant contributions to the field of microbiology, in particular through his observations of microorganisms. Van Leeuwenhoek used simple microscopes he crafted to observe organisms which he termed "animalcules", or "wee little beasties." His pioneering work laid the foundation for microbial science, which eventually led to important developments in understanding diseases and the sterilization processes we use today.
Based on the dates of his life and contributions, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek originated from the Renaissance Era, which is the correct answer to the student's question. It is notable that Robert Hooke, who coined the term "cell," and other scientists such as Galileo Galilei, were his contemporaries contributing to the development of microscopes, although Leeuwenhoek's microscopes were the first powerful enough to view microbes such as bacteria and protozoa.