Refer to the Figure Below, Showing Two Flasks of Broth

question 230

Multiple Choice

Refer to the figure below, showing two flasks of broth that were prepared and heated to boiling.Immediately after heating, one flask was left open and the other was sealed with a cork.Both flasks were allowed to cool and then left undisturbed for several days.Only one of the flasks developed a cloudy appearance, as shown. When these results were presented as proof against spontaneous generation, a criticism was raised about the design of the experiment.Which is a valid criticism in this case?

• A) The experiment lacked a control.
• B) The heating step was not sufficient to destroy all microorganisms in the broth.
• C) The experiment did not allow enough time for microorganism growth.
• D) The experimental flask was sealed off from two variables: air and microorganisms.
• E) The broth in the two flasks must have differed in microbe content before heating.

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Definitions:

Theological Stage

AUGUSTE Comte's term for the earliest stage of human society, in which explanation of the world relies on religious and supernatural beliefs.

Positive Stage

In the context of philosophical and social development theories, particularly those of Auguste Comte, it refers to the final stage of societal evolution in which scientific methods and empirical data are used to understand societal issues.

Industrial Stage

A phase in the development of a society characterized by the growth of industries, mass production, and a shift from agrarian to industrial economies.

Global Village

A term that describes the world as being interconnected through technology, making distances shorter and communication instant, as envisioned by Marshall McLuhan.