Final answer:
Walther Flemming, not to be confused with Alexander Fleming, was a foundational biologist known for pioneering chromosome staining and studying mitosis, thus contributing significantly to cytogenetics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contribution of Walther Flemming to Biology
Walther Flemming was a pioneer biologist and cytologist who is best known for developing the techniques of chromosome staining and meticulously observing the stages of cell division. In the late 19th century, Flemming meticulously observed the behavior of chromosomes during mitosis, which is the process that allows the even division of chromosomes between two daughter cells. His work laid the foundations for cytogenetics, the study of chromosomes and cell division, and significantly advanced the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of genetics. Flemming's contributions were fundamental to the development of modern biological sciences, including our knowledge about heredity and reproduction. This was distinct from the work of Alexander Fleming, who is noted for his discovery of penicillin, the world's first antibiotic, which revolutionized medicine and led to the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine.