Mendelian Principles | Anthropology Optional for UPSC PDF Download

The Austrian monk Gregor Mendel is considered as the pioneer of modern genetics. He was born on July 22,1822IrTHelnzenclorf in Austrian Silesia.
The approach of Mendel was simple, logical, scientific mathematical and analytical, probably, because he was well aware about the failures of his predecessor hybridists. The pre-Mendelian hybridists made observations on plants and animals as a whole and study all variations in the hybrid at a time. Mendel however, concentrated on a particular character at a time and studied, the pattern of inheritance of only one or two character or characters.
Mendel's Considerations
For his hybridization experiments M6ridefl had certain considerations in his mind about the choice of a suitable material, Mendel's considerations about the material were as follows
1. Variation The organisms that are to be chosen for the genetic experiments should have a number of detectable differences and at a time only single detectable character should be considered.
2. Reproduction The chosen organisms should be sexually reproducing (i.e., by fusion of male and female sex cells) because only then, the offspring will be able to receive different characters from both the male and female parents.

3. Controlled mating The chosen organisms should be able to mate in controlled or well planned conditions. Because in genetic experiments sometimes we have to rear genetically pure parents by methods of controlled mating. One should maintain careful records of the offspring , of many generations.
4. Short life cycle The chosen organisms should have very short life cycles.
5. Large number of offspring The organisms that have been chosen for the genetic experiments should produce large number of offspring after each successive mating, because it will help in deducing the correct conclusions.
6. Convenience in handling The experimental species should be of a type that can be raised and maintained conveniently and inexpensively in the laboratory. For instance, the elephant will prove entirely useless material or genetic experiments than the Drosophila, pea plants, tomato, Tats, guinea pigs, etc., which have beer generally used and are still used in hybridization experiment.