Biogenesis

The theory of biogenesis states that new living organisms can only emerge from other previously existing living organisms as a result of reproduction. Basically, reproduction can occur sexually or asexually, so life can only arise from living cells.

Example  

Basically sexual and asexual reproduction are examples of biogenesis. The organisms that receive half their genetic material from two parent cells refer to sexual reproduction. And the other side, asexual reproduction refers to the organisms that receive all their biogenetic material from one single parent cell. 

Biogenesis is an important theory in biology as well as molecular genetics. Basically, it postulates the production of new living organisms from pre-existing life. The term Biogenesis refers to “Life from Life”. Also, it refers to any process like a lifeform that can give rise to other lifeforms.

Biogenesis comes from ‘bio’  which means life and ‘genesis’ which means beginning. So, we can elaborate as life can only emerge from living organisms.

History

Most scientists were skeptical of the spontaneous generation hypothesis, mainly in later decades. In 1858, Rudolf Virchow thought about the hypothesis of biogenesis, but he did not have any experiments to back it up. After that in 1859, Louis Pasteur set up his demonstrative experiments to prove biogenesis at a bacterial level of study. By 1861, finally, he succeeded in establishing Biogenesis as a solid theory rather than a controversial hypothesis. He solved this problem by setting up his own experiments to test.