Answer:
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.