Why did Mendel choose pea plants (Pisum sativum) for his research on inheritance?

• A. Pea plants have easily observable traits and can self-pollinate or be cross-pollinated.
• B. Pea plants grow only in controlled laboratory environments.
• C. Pea plants are the only plants that can reproduce asexually.
• D. Pea plants produce seeds that are genetically identical to the parent plant.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of Gregor Mendel's research. Mendel is known as the 'Father of Genetics' for his groundbreaking work on inheritance patterns. He conducted experiments to understand how traits are passed from one generation to the next.
2. Step 2: Recognize the characteristics of pea plants (Pisum sativum) that made them ideal for Mendel's experiments. Pea plants have distinct, easily observable traits such as flower color, seed shape, and pod color, which allowed Mendel to track inheritance patterns clearly.
3. Step 3: Note the reproductive flexibility of pea plants. They can self-pollinate, meaning they fertilize themselves, which ensures genetic consistency. Alternatively, they can be cross-pollinated manually, allowing Mendel to control the genetic combinations in his experiments.
4. Step 4: Clarify why other options are incorrect. Pea plants do not grow exclusively in controlled laboratory environments; they are common garden plants. They do not reproduce asexually, as their reproduction involves sexual processes (pollination). Additionally, pea plants do not produce seeds that are genetically identical to the parent plant unless self-pollination occurs, and even then, genetic variation can arise.
5. Step 5: Conclude that Mendel chose pea plants because their traits are easily observable, and their reproductive methods (self-pollination and cross-pollination) allowed him to control and study inheritance patterns effectively.