Chapter 10, Problem 34A

Summary Introduction

To describe:

Mendel’s purpose for conducting plant breeding experiments.

Introduction:

Each organism receives two version of the same gene, and these versions are termed as alleles. If different alleles are present in the gene, then the dominant allele will express itself and mask the effect of recessive allele. So, there are two types of alleles, dominant allele and recessive allele.

Explanation of Solution

Gregor Mendel is known as the father of genetics. He conducted breeding experiments on pea plant and said that traits are passed on to offspring in blend of characteristics. He carried out dihybrid cross experiment on pea plant and the purpose of his experiment was to find out if one trait can affect inheritance of another trait.

In every organism various traits and characters are present, and each trait is regulated by alleles. Alleles are two versions of a single gene that defines a trait. Mendel carried out plant breeding experiment to see whether, a pair of allele affects the inheritance pattern of another pattern of allele for different trait.