Glass flask used by Louis Pasteur, France, 1860-1864
Louis Pasteur (1822-1895), the French chemist and microbiologist, used a glass flask containing yeast water during his experiments on spontaneous generation. By 1864, Pasteur had disproved this theory by experimenting with fermentation. He placed yeast water in a swan-necked flask (like this one) that only allowed air to enter. The water remained clear. Only when the flask was open to dust and micro-organisms did fermentation occur. The flask has a handwritten label, possibly written by Pasteur, reading “3 Août 1864, fevrier, eau de levure”. This translates from French as “3 August 1864, February, yeast water”. The flask was acquired by Henry Wellcome, whose records suggest it was believed this was actually used by Pasteur, but there is no evidence supporting this claim.
Object number:
A55130
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Glossary:
Glossary: microbiology
Branch of biology that deals with micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and their effects.
Glossary: micro-organism
A tiny single-celled living organism too small to be seen by the naked eye. Micro-organisms that cause disease are called bacteria.
Glossary: flask
A bottle with a wide body and a thinner neck used in Chemistry. Traditionally made of glass, but more recently made from plastic.
Glossary: spontaneous generation
The supposed production of living organisms from non-living matter, a common belief until the 1800s.
Glossary: fermentation
A form of anaerobic respiration (respiration that does not need oxygen) occurring in certain micro-organisms, for example yeasts.