Question

Why did Mendel select pea plants for his experiment?

Explain the following.

Why did Mendel select garden pea for his experiment?

Answer 1

Mendel selected pea plants for his experiment because of the following reasons :

1. A pea plant has many contrasting characters.
2. Self-fertilization takes place in pea plants and so it is possible to get a pure line of traits.
3. Flowers are bisexual and hermaphrodite. Therefore, cross-pollination is achieved easily.

Answer 2

• The pea plant is self-pollinating and so it is very easy to raise pure breeding individuals.
• It has a short life span, as it is annual.
• It is easy to cross-pollinate.
• It has deeply defined contrasting characters.
• The flowers are bisexual.