Final answer:
The Golden Age of microbiology, spanning from the mid-1800s to early 1900s, was important in the development of microbiology because it laid the foundation for many of the methods and techniques still used today.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Golden Age of microbiology, which spanned from the mid-1800s to early 1900s, was important in the development of microbiology because it laid the foundation for many of the methods and techniques still used today. During this time, microbiologists like Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch made significant discoveries, such as the connection between specific microorganisms and diseases.
These scientists developed methods to isolate and identify pathogens, which are still widely used in research and clinical microbiology laboratories. For example, they developed techniques to cultivate bacteria in pure cultures, allowing for further studies and the identification of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Their work during the Golden Age greatly advanced our understanding of microbes and paved the way for future advancements in the field of microbiology.