Cyril Dean Darlington

views updated

Cyril Dean Darlington

1903-1981

English biologist who performed research showing that chromosomes are responsible for carrying hereditary information. Before Darlington's work, the role of chromosomes was largely unknown, with some speculating that they helped provide structural support for the nucleus. Darlington was able to demonstrate their role in heredity and evolution and went on to show how these two roles are interconnected. This achievement was very important in helping give evolution theory more scientific rigor.

More From encyclopedia.com