IMG_0819.jpeg

# Mendel's Experiments on Pea Plants Mendel studied the inheritance of alternative traits in pea plants. His work led to the development of the laws of genetics. His paper, "Experiments in plant hybrids," was published in 1866 and is the cornerstone of modern genetics. ## Keys to the Success of M...

# Mendel's Experiments on Pea Plants Mendel studied the inheritance of alternative traits in pea plants. His work led to the development of the laws of genetics. His paper, "Experiments in plant hybrids," was published in 1866 and is the cornerstone of modern genetics. ## Keys to the Success of Mendel's Experiment * **Pure-breeding lines of peas (Pisum sativum):** Mendel used pea plants that consistently produced offspring with identical traits when self-fertilized. * **Controlled breeding via cross-fertilization of selfing:** Mendel carefully controlled the breeding process by manually cross-fertilizing or self-fertilizing the pea plants. * **Large numbers of progeny produced within a short time:** Mendel produced copious amounts of offspring over relatively short periods. * **Traits remained constant in crosses within a line:** Mendel observed that the traits of the plants were consistently observable in the progeny. * **Inheritance of alternative forms of traits:** Mendel studied contrasting pairs of traits, such as purple versus white flowers or yellow versus green seeds. * **Antagonistic pairs of "either-or" traits:** Mendel observed contrasting traits that followed a specific inheritance pattern * **Brilliant experimentalist:** Mendel meticulously designed and executed his experiments. * **Carefully planned and carried out experiments:** Mendel's experiments followed specific protocols. * **Controlled the plant breeding, including reciprocal crosses:** Mendel ensured strict control to limit any outside influence and conducted reciprocal crosses. * **Analyzed results mathematically:** Mendel's results were analyzed and calculated using mathematical principles. ## Mendel's Proposal * **Each plant carries two copies of a unit of inheritance:** Each plant possesses two copies of a "unit of inheritance" for each trait. * **Traits have two forms:** Each unit of inheritance (now known as _genes_) can have different alternative forms (now known as _alleles_). * **Trait that appears in F1 progeny is dominant:** The trait that is visibly expressed in the first generation of offspring(F1) offspring is the dominant trait. * **Trait that is hidden in F1 progeny is recessive:** The trait that is not visibly expressed in the first generation of offspring is the recessive trait. * **Units of inheritance are known as genes:** The units of inheritance are _genes_. * **Alternative forms of a single gene are alleles:** Alternative forms of a single gene are _alleles_. * **Individuals with two different alleles for a single trait are monohybrids:** Individuals with two different alleles for the same trait are called _monohybrids_. * **Gametes carry genes:** Gametes (e.g., eggs and sperm) carry genes across generations.