The Chromosomes in Heredity

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June 24, 2026

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Walter Sutton, in his work "The Chromosomes in Heredity" (1903), provided crucial evidence that chromosomes carry hereditary units and occur in distinct pairs. He observed that chromosomes in somatic cells exist in homologous pairs and that their behavior during meiosis, the division of sex cells, directly corresponds to Gregor Mendel's laws of inheritance. This established the foundation for the chromosomal theory of heredity, demonstrating that genes, the units of inheritance, are physically located on chromosomes.1234

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Walter Sutton
…developed this hypothesis in “The Chromosomes in Heredity” (1903) and concluded that chromosomes contain hereditary units and that their behaviour during meiosis is random. His work formed the basis for the chromosomal theory of heredity.
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…developed this hypothesis in “The Chromosomes in Heredity” (1903) and concluded that chromosomes contain hereditary units and that their behaviour during meiosis is random. His work formed the basis for the chromosomal theory of heredity.
Read More