Describe Mendel's conclusions about how traits are passed from generation to generation.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that Mendel's conclusions are based on his experiments with pea plants, where he observed how traits such as flower color and seed shape were inherited over generations.
2. Recognize Mendel's first conclusion: Traits are controlled by discrete units called 'factors' (now known as genes), which come in pairs, one inherited from each parent.
3. Learn Mendel's principle of dominance, which states that when two different forms of a gene (alleles) are present, one (the dominant allele) can mask the expression of the other (the recessive allele).
4. Understand the principle of segregation, which explains that the two alleles for a trait separate during the formation of gametes, so each gamete carries only one allele for each trait.
5. Know the principle of independent assortment, which states that alleles for different traits are distributed to gametes independently of one another, leading to genetic variation.

Key Concepts

Law of Segregation

Mendel's Law of Segregation states that each individual has two alleles for each trait, which separate during gamete formation, so each gamete carries only one allele. This explains how traits are inherited as discrete units rather than blended.

Dominant and Recessive Traits

Mendel concluded that some traits are dominant and mask the presence of recessive traits in heterozygous individuals. Dominant alleles express the trait, while recessive alleles only show when paired together.

Law of Independent Assortment

Mendel's Law of Independent Assortment states that alleles for different traits segregate independently during gamete formation, leading to genetic variation. This means the inheritance of one trait generally does not affect the inheritance of another.