Question

The development of cell theory was not without argument. The theory of spontaneous generation states that life arose from nonliving matter. and this was a long-held belief dating back to Aristotle and the ancient Greeks. Starting in 1668 with the experiments of Francesco Redi, scientists tried to refute this theory. It was not until the second half of the 1800's that Pasteur's experiments irrefutably disproved the theory of spontaneous generation. This lead to which point in cell theory?

A) DNA is passed from cell to cell.
B) Energy flow occurs within cells.
C) Cells arise from pre-existing cells.
D) All living things are composed of one or more cells.

Answer 1

Pasteur's experiments debunking spontaneous generation supported the cell theory tenet that cells arise from pre-existing cells (C).

Step-by-step explanation:

The experiments conducted by Louis Pasteur were integral in refuting the theory of spontaneous generation, which held that life could arise from nonliving matter. Pasteur's work, in conjunction with observations of cell division, such as mitosis and meiosis, supported the crucial point of cell theory that cells arise from pre-existing cells. This is embodied in the Latin phrase 'omnis cellula a cellula' popularized by Rudolf Virchow, which translates to 'all cells arise from cells'.

Thus, the option that corresponds to the cell theory point bolstered by the disproval of spontaneous generation is (C) Cells arise from pre-existing cells. This is one of the three main tenets of cell theory, which collectively state that all organisms are composed of one or more cells, all life processes occur within cells, and all cells derive from other pre-existing cells.

Answer 2

D) All living things are composed of one or more cells.

Step-by-step explanation: