Final answer:
The theory developed by Walter S. Sutton and Theodor Boveri in 1902 is the Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance, which states that chromosomes are the carriers of genetic material (genes) responsible for heredity and embryonic development. Their observations provided clarity to Mendel's work on inheritance and led to the further understanding of linkage, recombination, and gene mapping.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory developed by Walter S. Sutton and Theodor Boveri in 1902 is known as the Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance. This foundational concept in genetics suggests that chromosomes, which segregate and assort independently, are vehicles of genetic heredity, carrying the units of inheritance - the genes. Their work provided the basis for understanding how traits are passed down from parents to offspring and how genes dictate development.
In 1902, Theodor Boveri made the critical observation that chromosomes must be present for proper embryonic development in sea urchins. In that same year, Walter Sutton noticed the segregation of chromosomes during the process of meiosis. The combination of these observations led them to propose the Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance, which aligned perfectly with the principles of Mendelian inheritance discovered by Gregor Mendel.
The Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance clarified the idea of linkage, where genes are located on the same chromosome and therefore do not always assort independently, which Mendel had observed. This led to the discovery of crossing over and recombination between linked genes, further explaining genetic variability. Sturtevant's work on recombination frequency and the mapping of genes on chromosomes was a significant advancement that came from understanding the Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance.