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Pasteur performed an experiment to identify the role of microbes in decay - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 22 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 22
Pasteur performed an experiment to identify the role of microbes in decay. Justify a conclusion that can be drawn from his results. Describe the contribution of... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Pasteur performed an experiment to identify the role of microbes in decay - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 22 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Justify a conclusion that can be drawn from his results.
Answer
Microbes come from pre-existing microbes since no growth occurred in the sterile swan-necked flask. This experiment demonstrated that microbial life does not spontaneously generate but rather arises from existing microorganisms, which emphasizes the importance of microbes in the process of decay.
Step 2
Describe the contribution of Robert Koch to our understanding of disease.
Answer
Koch's work with microbes, particularly anthrax, was fundamental in establishing the germ theory of disease. He demonstrated a clear relationship between specific microbes and infectious diseases, leading to the systematic identification of causative pathogens. Koch developed a set of criteria, known as Koch's postulates, to provide a framework for determining the causative agents of infectious diseases, thereby significantly enhancing our understanding of disease transmission and prevention.