Scientists to Know

Question 1

Robert Hooke

Answer 1

contributed to cell theory
- stated “all living things are composed of little boxes” when observing cork through a microscope

Question 2

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

Answer 2

described animalcules observed through magnifying lens

Question 3

Francesco Redi

Answer 3

filled jars with decaying meat & observed maggots and flies
- disproved spontaneous generation

Question 4

John Needham

Answer 4

put boiled nutrient broth into covered flasks
- because he observed growth he supported spontaneous generation
- he likely didn’t sterilize everything

Question 5

Lazzaro Spallanzani

Answer 5

boiled nutrient solutions in sealed flasks
- sealed bottle showed no signs of life.
- disproved spontaneous generation
- others argued that because air couldn’t get in spontaneous generation couldn’t occur

Question 6

Louis Pasteur

Answer 6

demonstrated that microorganisms are present in the air
- S-shaped flasks kept microbes out but let air in
- disproved spontaneous generation

Question 7

Pasteurization

Answer 7

application of high heat for a short time to kill harmful bacteria in beverages
- led to the development of aseptic technique

Question 8

Joseph Lister

Answer 8

used a chemical antiseptic (phenol) to prevent surgical wound infections
- applied germ theory to surgery

Question 9

Robert Koch

Answer 9

• discovered that a specific microbe causes a specific disease

Koch’s postulates - Experimental steps for directly linking a specific microbe to a specific disease

Question 10

Edward Jenner

Answer 10

inoculated a person with cowpox virus, who was then immune from smallpox

Question 11

Alexander Fleming 

Answer 11

Fleming discovered the first antibiotic (penicillium fungus made antibiotic that killed S. aureus)

Question 12

golden age of microbiology

Answer 12

1857-1914