AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The prize was claimed in 1864 by Louis Pasteur, as he published the results of an experiment he did to disproved spontaneous generation in these microscopic organisms.

Detailed explanation-2: -In 1668, Francesco Redi published the first set of experiments challenging spontaneous generation. In these experiments, he demonstrated that maggots arise from the eggs of flies rather than directly from rotting meat.

Detailed explanation-3: -Redi went on to demonstrate that dead maggots or flies would not generate new flies when placed on rotting meat in a sealed jar, whereas live maggots or flies would. This disproved both the existence of some essential component in once-living organisms, and the necessity of fresh air to generate life.

Detailed explanation-4: -Louis Pasteur is credited with conclusively disproving the theory of spontaneous generation with his famous swan-neck flask experiment.

Detailed explanation-5: -He did note that maggots were found on the exterior surface of the cloth that covered the jar. Redi successfully demonstrated that the maggots came from fly eggs and thereby helped to disprove spontaneous generation.