Genetics
In the
introductory genetics, it has been mentioned that certain biologists prior to Mendel, had recognized the cellular basis of inheritance and they were well aware that the sex cells (viz., sperms and eggs) were involved in fertilization and also in carrying characteristics of both parents to the progeny. Further, soon after the rediscovery of Mendel's laws in 1900, W.S. Sutton showed a parallelism between the behaviour of the chromosomes and the homologous chromosomes sparate in the same manner as the character differences separate in a hybrid during gamete formation. It was, therefore, concluded that the genes or Mendelian factors were located on the chromosomes. The precise and regular distribution of genes from cell to cell could thus be explained on the basis of mitosis. Similar distribution from generation to generation could also be explained through meiosis. Thus, to understand the fundamental laws of genetics more adequately, one should be well acquainted with the physical bases of heredity such as chromosomes, cells, mitosis, meiosis and gametogenesis and fertilization.





