Mendel's Experiments on Pea Plants

What was the primary subject of Mendel's experiments?

What process did Mendel use to control plant breeding?

What term describes individuals with two different alleles for a single trait?

Which of the following traits did Mendel observe in his experiments?

What is the trait called that is not visibly expressed in the first generation offspring (F1)?

What did Mendel use to ensure the reliability of his experimental results?

What did Mendel identify as the units of inheritance?

Which statement is true regarding the traits Mendel studied?

Mendel's Experiments on Pea Plants

Mendel's work on pea plants, published in 1866, became foundational to modern genetics
He studied the inheritance of traits in pea plants
He tracked how traits appeared, disappeared, and reappeared in successive generations

Keys to Mendel's Success

Mendel used pure-breeding lines of pea plants (Pisum sativum)
He controlled breeding through cross-fertilization and selfing methods
He observed large numbers of progeny over short periods
He focused on traits that showed clear alternative forms (e.g., purple or white flowers)
He carefully and meticulously designed and performed his experiments
He analyzed results mathematically

Mendel's Principles of Inheritance

Each plant carries two copies of a unit of inheritance (now known as genes)
Each trait has two forms (dominant and recessive)
The dominant trait appears in the first filial (F1) generation
The recessive trait remains hidden in the F1 generation, but reappears in subsequent generations
Alternative forms of a gene are called alleles
Individuals with two different alleles are called monohybrids
Specialized cells (gametes, like egg or sperm) carry genes across generations

This quiz covers Gregor Mendel's pioneering experiments with pea plants, which laid the groundwork for modern genetics. It includes details about his methodologies, principles of inheritance, and the significance of his findings in the study of genetics.