Sci-Five | The Hindu Science Quiz: on genetics

Correct answers are highlighted in green. Click on the correct answer for further reading on the topic.

. Who coined the term genetics?

Hugo de Vries

William Bateson was best known in his time for rediscovering and defending the genetic paradigm of Gregor Mendel. https://batesoninstitute.org/william-bateson/

Thomas Hunt Morgan

William Bateson was best known in his time for rediscovering and defending the genetic paradigm of Gregor Mendel. https://batesoninstitute.org/william-bateson/

William Bateson 

William Bateson was best known in his time for rediscovering and defending the genetic paradigm of Gregor Mendel. https://batesoninstitute.org/william-bateson/

Charles Darwin

William Bateson was best known in his time for rediscovering and defending the genetic paradigm of Gregor Mendel. https://batesoninstitute.org/william-bateson/

. 2022 marks the bicentenary of Gregor Johann Mendel, known as the Father of genetics. He worked under a famous physicist before his botanical experiments. Name the physicist.

Christian Doppler

At the University of Vienna, Mendel worked under Christian Doppler. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregor-Mendel/Theoretical-interpretation

 John Dalton

At the University of Vienna, Mendel worked under Christian Doppler. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregor-Mendel/Theoretical-interpretation

Michael Faraday

At the University of Vienna, Mendel worked under Christian Doppler. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregor-Mendel/Theoretical-interpretation

J.J. Thomson

At the University of Vienna, Mendel worked under Christian Doppler. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregor-Mendel/Theoretical-interpretation

. Who gave the name genes to, well, genes?

Who else? Gregor Johann Mendell, right?

In 1909, Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity https://www.genome.gov/25520244/online-education-kit-1909-the-word-gene-coined

No. It’s Danish botanist Wilhelm Johannsen

In 1909, Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity https://www.genome.gov/25520244/online-education-kit-1909-the-word-gene-coined

Come on. Won’t Hugo de Vries get offended?

In 1909, Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity https://www.genome.gov/25520244/online-education-kit-1909-the-word-gene-coined

Wait, wait, wait. How can one forget Walther Flemming?

In 1909, Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity https://www.genome.gov/25520244/online-education-kit-1909-the-word-gene-coined

. Who discovered chromosomes?

Gregor Johann Mendell

Walther Flemming, was the first to observe and describe systematically the behaviour of chromosomes in the cell nucleus during normal cell division (mitosis).

Wilhelm Johannsen

Walther Flemming, was the first to observe and describe systematically the behaviour of chromosomes in the cell nucleus during normal cell division (mitosis).

Hugo de Vries

Walther Flemming, was the first to observe and describe systematically the behaviour of chromosomes in the cell nucleus during normal cell division (mitosis).

Walther Flemming

Walther Flemming, was the first to observe and describe systematically the behaviour of chromosomes in the cell nucleus during normal cell division (mitosis).

. The Drosophila melanogaster (fruitfly) has contributed more to genetics than any other species. Now, how many Nobels have the humble fly fetched for its researchers?

At least 2

The first Nobel for drosophila research went to Thomas Hunt Morgan, who used drosophila to uncover the role played by chromosomes in heredity https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/oct/07/fruit-fly-fascination-nobel-prizes-genetics

At least 5

The first Nobel for drosophila research went to Thomas Hunt Morgan, who used drosophila to uncover the role played by chromosomes in heredity https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/oct/07/fruit-fly-fascination-nobel-prizes-genetics

At least 6

The first Nobel for drosophila research went to Thomas Hunt Morgan, who used drosophila to uncover the role played by chromosomes in heredity https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/oct/07/fruit-fly-fascination-nobel-prizes-genetics

At least 8

The first Nobel for drosophila research went to Thomas Hunt Morgan, who used drosophila to uncover the role played by chromosomes in heredity https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/oct/07/fruit-fly-fascination-nobel-prizes-genetics