Gregor Mendel never saw a gene, yet he concluded that some inherited factors were responsible for the patterns of inheritance he observed in peas. Similarly, maps of Drosophila chromosomes (and the very idea that genes are carried on chromosomes) were conceived by observing the patterns of inheritance of linked genes, not by observing the genes directly. Is it legitimate for biologists to claim the existence of objects and processes they cannot actually see? How do scientists know whether an explanation is correct?

Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
4th Edition
ISBN:9781305389892
Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Chapter13: Genes, Chromosomes, And Human Genetics
Section13.5: Non-mendelian Patterns Of Inheritance
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Gregor Mendel never saw a gene, yet he concluded that some inherited factors were responsible for the patterns of inheritance he observed in peas. Similarly, maps of Drosophila chromosomes (and the very idea that genes are carried on chromosomes) were conceived by observing the patterns of inheritance of linked genes, not by observing the genes directly. Is it legitimate for biologists to claim the existence of objects and processes they cannot actually see? How do scientists know whether an explanation is correct?

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