History of Microbiology Flashcards
Who invented the Microscope and when?
Antonie Van Leewenhoek
What was the first Microscopes maximum magnification?
300X
What term was first used to refer to microbes?
animalcules
What were the two original theories for the origin of microbes?
- The doctrine of spontaneous generation
2. The germ theory of disease
What is the other name for the Doctrine of spontaneous generation. What was the main theory of it?
Also called Abiogenesis
It was a belief held by many that living things came from non-living objects.
(rats from old clothing, maggots from rotten meat, microbes from broth.
Explain the germ theory of disease.
2 statements
- Living things came from other living things.
2. Germs(animalcules) can invade other organisms and produce disease.
What are the four famous experiments that refuted abiogenesis?
Redi’s
Spallanzani’s
Pasteur’s
Tyndall’s
Explain Redi’s Experiment
When, What, Conclusion
17th century
The Italian physicist set up three jars with meat. One jar was unopened, one was corked, and the last was covered with gauze.
upon observation both meats in sealed jars had no maggots on the meat whereas the meat in the open jar did.
Conclusion: maggots came from flies not rotten meat.
Explain Spallanzani’s Experiment
When, What, Conclusion
17th Cen.
The Italian priest and Scientist studied microbial growth in broth.
He boiled broth in two flasks and corked one flask while leaving the other open. One flask grew microbes the other did not.
Conclusion: Microbes did not come from broth
Explain Pasteur’s Experiment.
When, What, Conclusion
1859
Trying to disprove claims that the other experiments failed because there was no air exposure. Pasteur, a french chemist, created an experiment that allowed air to reach the sample using a “swan neck” flask. The dust carrying the microbes got caught in the neck of the flask proving that the air is not what carries microbes nor is it required as a part of abiogenesis.
conclusion: Even in the presence of air, there was no abiogenesis.
Explain Tyndall’s experiment
When, What, Conclusion
late 1800’s
A sealed broth flask experiment that allowed access to unfiltered untreated air after that air has been “sterilized” by allowing it to settle.
conclusion: Finally refuted abiogenesis.
When was the golden age of microbiology?
Mid 19th century to early 20th century
Who were the two most important contributors to microbiology during the “Golden age”
Louis Pasteur
Robert Koch
Who is considered the father of microbiology?
Louis Pasteur
What were the contributions to Microbiology of Louis Pasteur
4
- Discovered anaerobic life and the role of microbes in the fermentation process.
- Developed the pasteurization process for wine&beer
- identified microbes that cause disease in silkworms
- Developed the first effective vaccine against rabies
