AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Abiogenesis is the natural process of creation of simple organic compounds from nonliving matter. The term equivocal generation, also called heterogenesis, describes the theory of spontaneous generation. According to equivocal generation, one life arises from another unrelated life form.

Detailed explanation-2: -Among these ideas, for centuries, since at least the time of Aristotle (4th Century BC), people (including scientists) believed that simple living organisms could come into being by spontaneous generation. This was the idea that non-living objects can give rise to living organisms.

Detailed explanation-3: -Thus, the theory of spontaneous generation became obsolete and supplanted by the theory of biogenesis. The basic tenet of biogenesis lies in the thought that life arises from similar life forms. The terms abiogenesis and biogenesis were coined by Thomas Henry Huxley 1825–1895.

Detailed explanation-4: -This idea was referred to as spontaneous generation. By sterilizing cultures and keeping them isolated from the open air, Pasteur found that contamination of the media only occurred upon exposure to the outside environment, showing that some element was needed to give rise to life.