Mendel's Marvelous Peas: Unraveling the Secrets of Genetics

What type of plant did Gregor Mendel use in his experiments?

A. Apples
B. Peas
C. Oranges
D. Bananas

Answer:

B. Peas

Gregor Mendel, often referred to as the "father of genetics," conducted groundbreaking experiments using peas in his research. These experiments with pea plants laid the foundation for the study of heredity and genetics.

Mendel chose peas for his experiments because they have easily distinguishable traits that can be observed and recorded. Peas also have characteristics that have two forms, such as tall vs. short plants or green vs. yellow seeds, making them ideal for studying patterns of inheritance. By carefully controlling the breeding of different pea plants, Mendel was able to uncover the basic principles of genetics.

The use of peas in Mendel's experiments allowed him to develop his theories on dominant and recessive traits, as well as the concepts of segregation and independent assortment of genes. These principles continue to be fundamental in the study of genetics today.