Question

Which foundational concepts in biology were merged in the modern synthesis?

A. Darwin's theory of evolution and Mendel's ideas of heritability
B. Darwin's theory of evolution and Chargaff's rules of base pairing
C. Darwin's theory of evolution and Watson's and Crick's structure of DNA
D. Darwin's theory of evolution and Hershey's and Chase's proof of DNA as genetic material
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Answer 1

A. Darwin's theory of evolution and Mendel's ideas of heritability

Step-by-step explanation:

The modern synthesis in biology, also known as the neo-Darwinian synthesis, merged Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection with Gregor Mendel's ideas of heritability and genetics. This synthesis combined the mechanisms of how traits are inherited (Mendelian genetics) with the process of how species change over time through natural selection (Darwinian evolution), providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the evolution of species. So, option A is the correct answer.

Answer 2

A. Darwin's theory of evolution and Mendel's ideas of heritability

Step-by-step explanation:

The modern synthesis is a unification of Darwin's theory of evolution and Mendel's ideas of heritability. It provides a comprehensive explanation of how evolution works, including how traits are passed down from generation to generation and how new traits arise.

So, the answer is A. Darwin's theory of evolution and Mendel's ideas of heritability

The other options are incorrect:

• (B) Chargaff's rules of base pairing describe the relationship between the different nitrogenous bases in DNA. While these rules are important for understanding the structure and function of DNA, they are not directly related to the modern synthesis.
• (C) Watson and Crick's discovery of the structure of DNA was a major breakthrough in biology, but it did not occur until after the modern synthesis had already been established.
• (D) Hershey and Chase's experiment provided evidence that DNA is the genetic material, but it did not contribute to the development of the modern synthesi

Modern synthesis is a fundamental concept in biology, and it has helped scientists to understand how evolution works and how to manipulate organisms for human benefit.