Introduction to the Microbial World; History of Microbiology
Microbiology is the branch of Biology that deals with the study of microorganisms and how they influence or work with other living organisms. (Satellite Events Enterprises Inc., 1999) In this paper I will discuss the history of Microbiology and specifically the early theory of spontaneous generation. I will discuss three spontaneous generation experiments and explain why it is obsolete in today’s science.
History of Microbiology Since Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, it is understandable that this form of Biology did not exist until people developed the tools that could assist us to study those tiny organisms that cannot be seen by the naked eye. In the year 1590, the very early microscope was invented. (Satellite Events Enterprises Inc., 1999) This tool made it easy to see microscopic organisms that people were unable to ever seen before. The first time that the microscope was used to in a study was in the early 1660’s by the English Scientist Robert Hooke. Hooke examined plants and that is when he first saw what we now know as cells. (Satellite Events Enterprises Inc., 1999) Up until this point, no one knew there was more to a living thing than just what was visible to the eye. Other Scientist continued to use the microscope to make further discoveries, later identifying bacteria. All of these discoveries of coarse are the building blocks to what we know today as Microbiology.
Spontaneous Generation Prior to the knowledge brought about by the invention of the microscope, people relied mostly on what they could see and their faith. Religious beliefs and the culture of the time was what people went on. As a result, Spontaneous Generation was a widely accepted theory in the middle ages and into the 19th century. Because people could not see microorganisms and microscopic living things, there would be no reason that people would think that they were there and therefore they created theories based on what they did know and what they could see.
History of Microbiology Since Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, it is understandable that this form of Biology did not exist until people developed the tools that could assist us to study those tiny organisms that cannot be seen by the naked eye. In the year 1590, the very early microscope was invented. (Satellite Events Enterprises Inc., 1999) This tool made it easy to see microscopic organisms that people were unable to ever seen before. The first time that the microscope was used to in a study was in the early 1660’s by the English Scientist Robert Hooke. Hooke examined plants and that is when he first saw what we now know as cells. (Satellite Events Enterprises Inc., 1999) Up until this point, no one knew there was more to a living thing than just what was visible to the eye. Other Scientist continued to use the microscope to make further discoveries, later identifying bacteria. All of these discoveries of coarse are the building blocks to what we know today as Microbiology.
Spontaneous Generation Prior to the knowledge brought about by the invention of the microscope, people relied mostly on what they could see and their faith. Religious beliefs and the culture of the time was what people went on. As a result, Spontaneous Generation was a widely accepted theory in the middle ages and into the 19th century. Because people could not see microorganisms and microscopic living things, there would be no reason that people would think that they were there and therefore they created theories based on what they did know and what they could see.