While several scientists contributed to our understanding of chromosomes, Walther Flemming is generally credited with their discovery in 1882. He observed and described their behavior during cell division (mitosis).
Key Contributors to Chromosome Understanding:
- Walther Flemming (1882): First described chromosomes and their behavior during mitosis. Nature and other sources confirm this.
- Peter Nowell and David Hungerford (1960): Discovered the Philadelphia chromosome, a specific chromosomal abnormality linked to chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). This discovery highlighted the significant role of chromosomes in cancer. Fox Chase Cancer Center provides details on this landmark finding. Further information is available through NCBI.
- Joe-Hin Tjio and Albert Levan (1956): Accurately determined the human diploid chromosome number to be 46. PubMed details this important contribution.
While other scientists like Otto Bütschli and Wilhelm Roux made significant contributions to cytology and the understanding of cell structures, Flemming's work is widely recognized as the foundational discovery of chromosomes themselves. The later discoveries built upon Flemming's initial observations, showcasing the progression of scientific understanding in this field.
