Question

Experimental verification of the chromosomal theory of inheritance was done by
A) Sutton
B) Boveri
C) Morgan
D) Mendel

Answer 1

Hint: The chromosomal theory of inheritance is the fundamental theory of genetics. It states that the chromosomes are the carrier of genetic material. The experimental verification of this theory was done on Drosophila melanogaster.

Complete answer:
The Chromosomal theory of inheritance was put forward long after the Mendelian principles of genetics in the year 1900. Sutton and Boveri are credited for giving the theory of inheritance. They proposed that the genes are the hereditary units and they are found on the chromosomes. This theory was proposed after Mendel’s theory of inheritance as the acceptance of Mendelian principles was difficult during those times.

Morgan strongly confirmed this theory through his experiments on the fruit fly. He studied the eye colour of the fruit fly and was interested in knowing how the fly had a white eye instead of red-eye. From his experiment, he discovered the mutation effect in the eye colour of the fly. He also observed that the mutation pattern was different in males and females. Thus, from this above observation, he concluded that the gene responsible for the eye colour is present on the X chromosome.

Mendel put forward the fundamental laws of inheritance. He proposed this law on the basis of his experiments based on the seven observable characteristics of the pea plant.

Thus, the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note: The behaviour of the chromosomes in cell division was observed by Sutton and Boveri. They showed the chromosome segregation took place at the anaphase of the cell division. The theory of chromosome segregation along with the Mendelian principles together helped in proposing the chromosomal theory of inheritance.