History of Microbiology Flashcards
What is spontaneous generation?
Spontaneous generation is the belief that life could generate from non-living particles.
What is cell theory?
Cell theory was coined by Robert Hooke in 1665. He used a crude microscope to observe cork and saw it was constituted of small ‘cells’ and theorised that all organisms were likewise.
Who first saw microorganisms?
Anton van Leeowenhoek in 1673; he caled them ‘animalcules’.
Who first challenged the idea of spontaneous generation?
Francesco Reddi, 1668.
Who disproved spontaneous generation?
Lazar Spalazani, 1765. He used boiled water in swan necked flask to show life would not generate.
Who is the father of immunology?
Edward Jenner, 1758. He created the first scientific vaccine to innoculate people from smallpox. To do this he used cowpox. Vaccine comes from ‘vacca’ meaning cow.
Who proved the cell theory of disease?
Rudolf Virchow, 1858. He solidified cell theory- all cells come from pre-existing cells and showed that all organisms get sick from other organisms at the cellular level.
