In which type of organisms did Mendel conduct his research?

In which type of organisms did Mendel conduct his research?

• A. Animals
• B. Fungi
• C. Plants
• D. Bacteria

Answer: (C)

Mendel conducted his research primarily on pea plants, which are classified under the category of plants. His experiments focused on the inheritance patterns of traits in these organisms, allowing him to formulate the foundational principles of genetics. By using pea plants, Mendel was able to take advantage of their distinct and easily observable traits, such as flower color, seed shape, and pod color, which helped him identify dominant and recessive traits. His choice of a plant as the subject of his experiments was significant because it facilitated controlled breeding experiments. Pea plants can self-fertilize as well as cross-fertilize, making it easier to track heredity and the resulting offspring over generations. This methodical approach led to discoveries such as the Law of Segregation and the Law of Independent Assortment, which are essential concepts in understanding heredity. In contrast, animals, fungi, and bacteria would not have provided the same level of accessibility for the controlled breeding and clear trait distinctions that were vital to Mendel's groundbreaking work. Hence, the choice of plants, specifically pea plants, was crucial to his findings on the principles of inheritance.

Mendel conducted his research primarily on pea plants, which are classified under the category of plants. His experiments focused on the inheritance patterns of traits in these organisms, allowing him to formulate the foundational principles of genetics. By using pea plants, Mendel was able to take advantage of their distinct and easily observable traits, such as flower color, seed shape, and pod color, which helped him identify dominant and recessive traits.

His choice of a plant as the subject of his experiments was significant because it facilitated controlled breeding experiments. Pea plants can self-fertilize as well as cross-fertilize, making it easier to track heredity and the resulting offspring over generations. This methodical approach led to discoveries such as the Law of Segregation and the Law of Independent Assortment, which are essential concepts in understanding heredity.

In contrast, animals, fungi, and bacteria would not have provided the same level of accessibility for the controlled breeding and clear trait distinctions that were vital to Mendel's groundbreaking work. Hence, the choice of plants, specifically pea plants, was crucial to his findings on the principles of inheritance.