Genetic Discoveries by Gregor Mendel
What summarizes the genetic research completed by the Austrian monk Gregor Mendel?
A. After years of research, Mendel identified the genes for flower colors.
B. Mendel bred various dog breeds to discover the science of genetics.
C. Mendel hypothesized that the traits of pea plant offspring are inherited.
D. Using Punnett squares, Mendel developed the principles of genetics.
Answer:
C. Mendel hypothesized that the traits of pea plant offspring are inherited.
Gregor Mendel, the Austrian monk, made significant genetic discoveries through his research. Despite not knowing about genes at the time, Mendel hypothesized that the traits of pea plant offspring are inherited, laying the groundwork for the principles of genetics.
During his studies, Mendel worked extensively with pea plants, not dogs, as mentioned in option B. It was his observations and experiments with pea plants that led him to uncover the main principles of the inheritance of simple traits.
Although Mendel did not identify the genes for flower colors specifically, his work set the foundation for our understanding of genetics. He did not develop Punnett squares; that credit goes to Reginald C. Punnett.