Question

Chromosome maps/ genetic maps were first prepared by______
a. Sutton and Boveri (1902)
b. Bateson and Punnett (1906)
c. Morgan (1910)
d. Sturtevant (1911)

Answer 1

Hint: The scientist who first prepared chromosome mapping received the National Medal of Science and was an American scientist. During his career life, he worked on Drosophila Melanogaster with well-known scientist Thomas Hunt Morgan who discovered that chromosomes play a significant role in inheritance.

Complete answer:
Let’s check options one by one to find the correct answer.
> Option A: Sutton and Boveri.
It is known that Sutton and Boveri proposed a hypothesis that chromosomes may have factors that are responsible for inheritance.

> Option B: Bateson and Punnett.
Punnett and Bateson discovered genetic linkage and brought Mendel’s work to light.

> Option C: Morgan.
Thomas Hunt Morgan discovered a white-eyed mutation in the fruit fly and won the Nobel prize for discovering crossover.

> Option D: Sturtevant.
He is well known for his work on hereditary patterns. In 1911, he discovered the mapping of chromosomes by mapping the relative location of genes on chromosomes.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Additional information:
Chromosomal or genetic mapping is widely used for autosomal DNA testing as it can detect segments of ancestor DNA in the genome. For DNA testing, a DNA test of parents, close relatives is necessary to find a specific gene sequence that is conserved in close blood relatives. To map smaller segments, special caution needs to be taken to avoid false-positive testing.

Note: To remember, Sturtevant had built the foundation of molecular biology by mapping chromosomes. Without chromosomal mapping, we wouldn’t have found the location of genes. It wouldn’t be possible to sequence DNA and identify genetic disorders.