answersLogoWhite

0

Mendel tested one trait at a time so he would be able to eliminate variables. The purpose of his experiment in general was to determine the trends and patterns in inheritance, and so he had be sure he studying only one variable at a time, to understand it well. Specifically, he examined one trait at a time with self-pollinating pea plants, of which there were only two color varieties: purple and white. Before now, there was no chance of white flower's seed having previously been fertilized by a purple flower. He also chose to use peas because they spawn a new generation quickly and produce a large number of offspring. So during the first generation of his pure purple flower and pure white flower crossing, all of the offspring produced purple flowers. Because his subjects were chosen only for the reason of color, and did not differ in other ways, he knew, what would later become known as, the purple-color allele was dominant. It was previously believed that the two colors would "blend" together, producing a pale purple color. So it would make sense that the trait for producing a white flower was lost, and that the flowers would be purple from now on, right? When the this generation self-fertilized, however, there was 3:1 ratio of offspring. 3 purple flowers and 1 white flower. Mendel now had a basis for determining the law of segregation. Later, after performing other various two-option-single-trait experiments such as seed color and wrinkled vs. smooth, he discovered traits were inherited singly, and thus the law of independent assortment was born. Mendel's experiments gave in beautifully to ratios of inherited traits and the ability to determine what traits the offspring would possess as more traits were mixed. If he had tested multiple traits at one time, even unintentionally, his results could have been skewed and even meaningless.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

How many choices were there for each pea plant trait mendel examineed?

Mendel examined one trait at a time in his pea plant experiments. For each trait, he had two choices: the dominant allele and the recessive allele. Therefore, there were two choices for each pea plant trait that Mendel examined.


Mendel wanted to find out if the pattern of inheritance for one trait affected the pattern of inheritance for another. What experiment did he perform to test this idea?

(Apex Learning) He tested seed color and shape at the same time.


Mendel wanted to find out if the pattern of inheritance for one trait affected the pattern of inheritance for another. What experiment did he perform to test this idea?

(Apex Learning) He tested seed color and shape at the same time.


What was the purpose of Mendel experiments?

To determine if one trait could affect the inheritance of another trait


What was the purpose of Mendel's experiments with?

To determine if one trait could affect the inheritance of another trait


How is the gene involved in sickle cell anemia different from the genes for pea plants' traits that Mendel studied?

One gene controlled one trait within Mendel's study, but the sickle cell anemia effects more than one trait.


Explain Mendel's law of independent?

Mendel's Law - The first law of Mendel states that "In a cross of parents that are pure for contrasting traits, only one form of the trait will appear in the next generation. Offspring that are hybrid for a trait will have only the dominant trait in the phenotype."


What was the purpose of Mendel's experiments with dihybrids?

To determine if one trait could affect the inheritance of another trait


What evidence did Mendel find that support his assortment?

One trait does not affect whether another trait will be passed on


Gregor Mendel concluded that a parent passes of the alleles for a trait to their offspring?

One of the allels for a trait to it's offspring.


How did Mendel find out if the pattern of inheritance for one trait affected the pattern for another trait?

He performed dihybrid crosses.


What evidence did Mendel that supported his law of independent assortment?

One trait does not affect whether another trait will be passed on. -Apex