abiogenesis

abiogenesis

(ā′bī-ō-jĕn′ĭ-sĭs)

n.

The supposed development of living organisms from nonliving matter. Also called autogenesis, spontaneous generation.

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a′bi·o·ge·net′ic (-jə-nĕt′ĭk), a′bi·o·ge·net′i·cal adj.

a′bi·o·ge·net′i·cal·ly adv.

a′bi·og′e·nist (-ŏj′ə-nĭst) n.

abiogenesis

(1) Spontaneous generation. 
(2) The theory of spontaneous generation.

a·bi·o·gen·e·sis

(ā'bī-ō-jen'ĕ-sis)

Spontaneous origination of a living organisms directly from lifeless matter.
See also: spontaneous generation

[G. a-, without, + bios, life, + genesis, formation]

abiogenesis

The theory of ‘spontaneous generation’-the long-discarded notion that living organisms can be formed from non-living matter. Louis Pasteur's work (see PASTEURIZATION) did much to overthrow this idea which was based largely on the observation that maggots often appeared on rotting meat.

abiogenesis

see SPONTANEOUS GENERATION.