Question

Starting all the pea plant experiments exclusively with true-breeding (pure-line) plants was essential because it:

Options

• Allowed the experiments to be completed in fewer growing seasons.

• Ensured a perfectly accurate foundation for the studies.

• Prevented the plants from requiring emasculation during crossing.

• Made statistical analysis of the data unnecessary.

Answer 1

Starting with true-breeding (pure-line) plants ensured a perfectly accurate foundation for the studies. Pure-line plants reliably produce identical offspring when self-pollinated, so any new traits appearing in the progeny could be confidently attributed to the experimental cross rather than pre-existing variation.