The term for the spontaneous generation of new life forms is abiogenesis. This concept involves the natural process by which life arises from non-living matter, typically under conditions present on early Earth. Abiogenesis addresses the origins of cellular life, proposing that simple organic compounds evolved into complex molecules, ultimately leading to the first living organisms. This process is distinct from biogenesis, which states that life arises from pre-existing life forms. Research into abiogenesis contributes to our understanding of life's origins and the potential for life on other planets.