Pea plants were used in Mendel’s experiments becausea)They grew ...
Mendel chose pea plants for his experiments primarily because they had distinct contrasting traits such as tall vs. short plants, round vs. wrinkled seeds, and yellow vs. green seed color. These clear differences made it easier for Mendel to observe patterns of inheritance and formulate the basic laws of genetics.
Other factors like growth rate, water requirements, or fruit production were not the main reasons for his choice. The ability to track contrasting characters was crucial for the success of his experiments.
Pea plants were used in Mendel’s experiments becausea)They grew ...
Introduction to Mendel’s Experiments
Mendel's experiments with pea plants established foundational principles of genetics. The selection of pea plants was strategic, and their distinct traits played a crucial role in his findings.
Distinct Contrasting Traits
- Variety of Traits: Pea plants exhibit a range of easily identifiable traits, such as flower color, seed shape, pod color, and plant height. This variety allowed Mendel to study inheritance patterns effectively.
- Clear Dominance and Recessiveness: The traits in pea plants often displayed clear dominant and recessive characteristics. For example, purple flowers are dominant over white flowers, making it straightforward to track inheritance across generations.
Controlled Cross-Pollination
- Ease of Manipulation: Pea plants can self-pollinate or be cross-pollinated with ease. This feature enabled Mendel to control breeding experiments, ensuring accurate results regarding trait inheritance.
- Generational Studies: The ability to observe multiple generations quickly was advantageous. Mendel could analyze the offspring (F1 and F2 generations) to identify patterns of inheritance.
Conclusion
Mendel's choice of pea plants was not arbitrary; their distinct contrasting traits were essential for his studies on heredity. These traits allowed for a clear analysis of genetic patterns, leading to the formulation of fundamental laws of inheritance that revolutionized the field of genetics. This clarity in trait expression is why option 'B' is the correct answer.