Question

Mendel published his work on inheritance in 1865, but it remained unnoticed for over three decades.

State the reasons why his work was not recognised during his life time.

Answer 1

1. His paper was published in an obscure, local journal and communicated only to a small society, so few contemporary scientists saw it.

2. His particulate (mathematical) view of inheritance conflicted with the prevailing “blending” ideas and lacked a known physical mechanism, so biologists did not recognise its significance.