biogenez

Biogenez, or biogenesis, is the principle that living organisms arise from preexisting living matter through reproduction and growth. The term derives from Greek bios “life” and genesis “origin.” In biology, biogenesis contrasts with abiogenesis, the idea that life can arise from nonliving matter.

Historically, biogenesis emerged as a challenge to spontaneous generation. Ancient philosophers debated generation in nature. In the 17th century Francis Redi conducted experiments showing that maggots appeared on decaying meat only when flies could access it. In the 18th century, Needham argued for spontaneous generation; later experiments by Spallanzani suggested that boiled broths remained free of life unless exposed to air and contaminants. Louis Pasteur's 1861 experiments with long-necked flasks provided decisive evidence that microorganisms originate from the surrounding environment, supporting biogenesis and refuting spontaneous generation.

Modern biology extends the principle through the cell theory: all organisms are cellular and arise by growth and division from existing cells. Reproduction occurs sexually or asexually, generating offspring with heredity via DNA or RNA. While biogenesis describes the origin of life from preexisting life, questions about the origin of life itself—abiogenesis or chemical evolution—remain active areas of research, with theories involving self-replicating molecules and protolife.

In current usage, biogenesis is a foundational concept indicating continuity of life and the dependence of new organisms on established life processes. It underpins fields from microbiology to developmental biology and medicine, reinforcing that reproduction and heredity connect generations of organisms.