Which scientist discovered heat-resistant bacterial spores?
Multiple Choice
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Ferdinand Cohn
Joseph Lister
Ignaz Semmelweis
Robert Koch
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is Ferdinand Cohn.
Ferdinand Cohn, a German bacteriologist, is credited with the discovery of heat-resistant bacterial spores in the mid-19th century. Cohn made several significant contributions to microbiology, one of the most notable being his identification and classification of various types of bacteria. His research focused on the life cycles and resistance of bacteria under different environmental conditions.
Cohn’s discovery of bacterial spores was groundbreaking. He found that certain bacteria could produce spores, which are highly resistant to heat, desiccation, and other harsh environmental factors. These spores could survive in extreme conditions and later germinate to form active bacterial cells when the conditions became favorable again. This discovery was crucial for understanding the persistence of bacteria in the environment and their role in disease transmission, especially in sterilization and infection control practices.
Cohn is also known for his work in the classification of bacteria into groups based on their shape and ability to form spores. His research laid the groundwork for later studies on bacterial spores, including their role in botulism, anthrax, and tetanus. Cohn’s work was fundamental in the development of sterilization methods and the study of bacterial physiology.
The other scientists listed in the options—Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, Joseph Lister, Ignaz Semmelweis, and Robert Koch—made significant contributions to microbiology and medicine, but none were responsible for the discovery of heat-resistant bacterial spores. For example, van Leeuwenhoek is famous for his discovery of microorganisms through the use of microscopes, Lister for developing antiseptic techniques, Semmelweis for promoting hand hygiene to reduce infections, and Koch for establishing the germ theory of disease and identifying the causative agents of tuberculosis and cholera.