Biotechnology History: Pre-1800

Which civilization utilized yeast for beer production around 6000 BC?

Which Greek philosopher theorized that all inheritance originates from the father?

What concept did the theory of abiogenesis describe?

Which of the following individuals first explained the role of micro-organisms in fermentation?

In which year did the Egyptians discover a process for preparing leavened bread using yeast?

What did William Harvey contribute to the understanding of reproduction?

Pre-1800 (Early applications and speculation)

Yeast was first used by Sumerians and Babylonians around 6000 BC for beer production.
By 4000 BC, Egyptians discovered yeast's role in creating leavened bread.
Greek philosopher Socrates (470-399 BC) postulated about hereditary traits linking parents to offspring.
Aristotle (384-322 BC) introduced theories suggesting that all inheritance originates from paternal sources.
Hindus noted that certain diseases appeared to be hereditary, recognizing familial patterns in illnesses.
The concept of abiogenesis, or spontaneous generation, gained traction, proposing that life emerges from non-living matter.
William Harvey made significant contributions by showing similarities in reproduction between plants and animals, particularly sexual reproduction.
Marcello Malpighi (1628-1694) used microscopy to study blood circulation in capillaries and highlighted the nervous system's structure connecting the brain and spinal cord.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) was the first to document microorganisms like protozoa and bacteria, identifying their crucial role in fermentation processes.

Explore the early milestones of biotechnology from 6000 BC to pre-1800. This quiz delves into groundbreaking events such as the use of yeast in beer production and significant philosophical contributions by Greek thinkers. Test your knowledge of the ancient practices that laid the foundation for modern biotechnology.