Gregor Mendel studied genetics using which organism?

Gregor Mendel studied genetics using which organism?

• A. Garden peas
• B. Fruit flies
• C. Mice
• D. Bacteria

Answer: (A)

Mendel studied genetics using garden peas because they provide clear, contrasting traits and are easy to work with in controlled crosses. Peas offer true-breeding lines, so you can start with predictable parental traits, and you can precisely control fertilization by performing crosses or letting them self-pollinate. Their traits show simple dominant-recessive patterns that are easy to observe in offspring, and the short generation time plus large numbers of progeny let you see reliable, statistical ratios. This setup made it possible to uncover how alleles segregate and assort independently, laying the foundation for the basic laws of inheritance. While other organisms like fruit flies, mice, or bacteria contributed to genetics later, Mendel’s pea experiments were ideal for revealing these fundamental patterns.

Mendel studied genetics using garden peas because they provide clear, contrasting traits and are easy to work with in controlled crosses. Peas offer true-breeding lines, so you can start with predictable parental traits, and you can precisely control fertilization by performing crosses or letting them self-pollinate. Their traits show simple dominant-recessive patterns that are easy to observe in offspring, and the short generation time plus large numbers of progeny let you see reliable, statistical ratios. This setup made it possible to uncover how alleles segregate and assort independently, laying the foundation for the basic laws of inheritance. While other organisms like fruit flies, mice, or bacteria contributed to genetics later, Mendel’s pea experiments were ideal for revealing these fundamental patterns.