Question

A dutch scientist A V Leeuwenhoek discovered bacteria for the first time in:
(a) Rainwater
(b) Soil
(c) Air
(d) Garden soil

Answer 1

Hint: Antonie Philips van Leeuwenhoek was a Dutch microscopist and scientist during the Golden Age of Dutch science and technology.

Complete answer:
A V Leeuwenhoek discovered bacteria for the first time in rainwater that he described as “very little animalcules”.
- Leeuwenhoek is famously known for his work in microscopy and for his contributions toward the founding of microbiology.
- His research on lower animals denied the theory of spontaneous generation in them.
- His observations helped lay the foundations for the sciences of bacteriology and protozoology hence he is known as “father of microbiology”.
- In 1674 he likely observed protozoa for the first time and several years later bacteria and he also calculated their sizes.
- In 1677 he reported for the first time the sperms from insects, dogs, and man.
- In 1680 he observed that the yeasts comprise minute globular particles.
- He extended Marcello Malpighi’s demonstration in 1660 of the blood capillaries by giving the first accurate description of red blood cells.
- His discoveries were mostly made available to the public through the society’s Philosophical Transactions. The first description of bacteria is to be found in a diagram by Leeuwenhoek in that publication.
So, the correct answer is “ rainwater”.

Note: While running his clothing shop, van Leeuwenhoek desired to see the quality of the thread better than the magnifying lenses of the time. He developed an interest in lens making. A V Leeuwenhoek invented more than 500 optical lenses. He also built a minimum of 25 single-lens microscopes, of various types, out of which only nine have persevered. These microscopes were manufactured from silver or copper frames, holding hand- made lenses.