Antoine Béchamp was a French scientist born in 1816, known for his work in microbiology and chemistry. He is best recognized for his research on microorganisms and the role they play in disease. Béchamp proposed the theory of microzymes, suggesting that tiny living particles are fundamental to the formation of cells and can influence health. Béchamp's ideas often contrasted with those of Louis Pasteur, who is famous for his germ theory of disease. While Pasteur emphasized the role of specific pathogens in causing illness, Béchamp believed in the importance of the body's internal environment. His contributions laid groundwork for later developments in immunology and biochemistry.