Germ Theory, Spontaneous Generation, and Early Vaccination (Video)

Who was the first scientist to observe 'animalcules' and popularize that term?

Antoni van Leeuwenhoek

What did the historical term 'animalcules' refer to?

A label for living organisms visible only with a microscope

What is spontaneous generation?

Belief that life arises from dying tissue or nonliving material

What is biogenesis?

Theory that life arises from life

What did Pasture's experiments show?

microbes are present on nonliving matter

The can be killed by heat

Airborne contamination can be obstructed & air itself does not create microbes

What is germ theory?

That microbes are going to cause disease

What clinical practice did germ theory help promote?

Handwashing and antiseptic techniques

What is variolation?

An ancient Chinese practice of inoculating with smallpox material to induce immunity

Who developed the first vaccine and for which disease?

Edward Jenner and small pox