Question

Many years ago, people believed that flies were created from spoiled food because spoiled food that was left out in the open often contained fly larvae. So a scientist placed fresh food in a sealed container for an extended period of time. The food spoiled, but no fly larvae were found in the food that was sealed.

Based on this evidence, what is the most likely reason that spoiled food left out in the one often contained fly larvae?

A. The spoiled food evolved into fly larvae.
B. Since the food was left out in the open, flies would lay eggs in the food.
C. Fly larvae were spontaneously generated by the spoiled food.
D. People only imagined they saw fly larvae in the spoiled food.

Answer 1

The most likely reason that spoiled food left out in the open often contained fly larvae is because flies would lay eggs in the food.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely reason that spoiled food left out in the open often contained fly larvae is because flies would lay eggs in the food (Option B). This idea was refuted by Francesco Redi's experiment in 1668, where meat was left in containers with different levels of access for flies. Maggots only appeared in the uncovered jars, supporting Redi's conclusion that maggots could only form when flies were allowed to lay eggs in the meat.