Question

In the mid-1600s, Francesco Redi performed a classic experiment to test the concept of spontaneous generation. As a control, he placed rotten meat in two open containers. The experimental jars also contained rotten meat, but he covered the openings with pieces of cloth. Flies landed on the meat in the open jars, but were not able to reach the meat under the cloth. Over time, maggots covered the meat in the control jars, but no maggots appeared in the experimental jars. Which of the following did Redi's results most likely show?

Origins of Life I | Biology | Visionlearning

a
Rotten meat produces maggots.
b
Flies are not able to develop in jars.
c
Spontaneous generation occurs in open jars.
d
Maggots are produced by adult flies.

Answer 1

Francesco Redi's experiment primarily demonstrated that maggots arise from the eggs laid by flies rather than spontaneously from the rotten meat itself. Given the options presented, the most appropriate conclusion based on his results is:

**d. Maggots are produced by adult flies.**

This conclusion is supported by the evidence that maggots appeared in the open jars where flies could access the meat, while they did not appear in the covered jars, confirming the role of flies in the development of maggots.