What does Francesco Redi's experiment in 1668 demonstrate about the origin of fly larvae?

Francesco Redi's experiment in 1668 was pivotal in the study of biology, particularly in challenging the prevailing theory of spontaneous generation. By placing meat in covered and uncovered jars, Redi demonstrated that when adult flies had access to the meat, they laid eggs, which then developed into larvae. This observation confirmed that fly larvae originate from eggs laid by adult flies, rather than spontaneously arising from decaying matter or being generated through other means.

Redi's work laid the groundwork for the understanding of biogenesis—the principle that life comes from pre-existing life—by providing clear evidence that the presence of larvae could be traced directly back to adult flies. His experiment effectively refuted the notion that larvae could arise from inanimate materials, highlighting the necessity of adult flies for the development of fly larvae.