👤 whose

Whose discovery first described human chromosomes by number as 46?

Human BiologyGenetics

Quick Answer

Joe Hin Tjio and Albert Levan established the correct human chromosome number as 46 in 1956. Before that, many scientists thought humans had 48 chromosomes.

The Full Story

Joe Hin Tjio and Albert Levan used improved cell-culture and chromosome-spreading techniques in 1956 to count human chromosomes accurately. They determined that the correct number is 46, not 48 as had long been reported. This seemingly simple correction was crucial for medical genetics and prenatal diagnosis. It helped standardize the study of chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome.

Key Facts

1.The correct human chromosome number is 46
2.Their finding was published in 1956
3.Earlier counts often mistakenly gave 48

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Suggested video title for this topic:

"The chromosome count that fixed a huge biology mistake"