Final answer:
The term 'theory' in science is a well-supported explanation, and the Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance is a key principle in biology that describes how hereditary information is carried on chromosomes and passed from parents to offspring.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a scientific context, the term theory refers to a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that incorporates facts, laws, inferential reasoning, and tested hypotheses. The Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance, developed by scientists Walter Sutton and Theodor Boveri, is a fundamental principle of biology that explains how chromosomes serve as the vehicles of genetic heredity. This theory is an extension of Mendelian genetics and provides a framework for understanding how genes, which have specific loci on chromosomes, are transmitted from parents to offspring through the processes of segregation and independent assortment.
In relation to the gene chromosome theory, the Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance states that genes are located on chromosomes and that these chromosomes are responsible for hereditary patterns observed in living organisms. Segments of DNA that code for traits or characteristics are called genes. During reproduction, chromosomes are passed from parents to their offspring, which explains the mechanism underlying inheritance.