What evidence did scientists use to reject the idea that animals like mice and eels come from nonliving things?

Question

A
Examination of animal skeletons under a microscope

B
In-person observations of how these animals reproduce

C
Data on the number of eels and mice in a given space

D
Observations of how quickly these animals arrive in a new area

Answer 1

The most relevant evidence that scientists used to reject the idea that animals like mice and eels come from nonliving things is:

B. In-person observations of how these animals reproduce.

This choice reflects the understanding that animals originate from other animals through reproduction, which contradicts the idea of spontaneous generation (the belief that living organisms could arise from nonliving matter).