Question

Polytene chromosome was first observed by

• A. Stevens and Wilson
• B. Heitz and Bauer
• C. Balbiani
• D. Khorana.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Balbiani

• The salivary gland chromosome is also known as polytene chromosomes.
  
• These chromosomes are found during the interphase stage of the cell division in the nuclei of the salivary gland cells of the larvae of Diptera (fruitfly or Drosophila melanogaster ).
• Polytene chromosomes were first observed in the salivary glands of Chironomus midges (nonbiting insects) larvae by Balbiani in 1881.
• It was later observed in the salivary glands of Drosophila melanogaster by Emil Heitz and Hans Bauebut in the 1930s which helped to study the hereditary nature of these structures.
• So, the correct answer is 'Balbiani'.