biogenesis vs. abiogenesis

the production of living organisms from other living organisms.

the theory that the earliest life forms on earth developed from nonliving matter. Compare biogenesis.

Also called spon·ta·ne·ous gen·er·a·tion [spon-, tey, -nee-, uh, s jen-, uh, -, rey, -sh, uh, n]. the now discredited theory that living organisms can arise spontaneously from inanimate matter.