How many pairs of contrasting traits were studied by Mendel in his experiments on the pea plant?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Seven
Mendel worked on the garden pea for seven years (1856-1863). He chose characters that appear in two opposite forms, for example tall or dwarf plants. He studied seven such pairs of contrasting traits: seed shape (round/wrinkled), seed colour (yellow/green), flower colour (violet/white), pod shape (full/constricted), pod colour (green/yellow), flower position (axial/terminal) and the height of the plant (tall/dwarf). The figure shows all seven pairs.
NCERT Extract:
Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance – “… Mendel selected 14 true-breeding pea plant varieties, as pairs which were similar except for one character with contrasting traits. Some of the contrasting traits selected were smooth or wrinkled seeds, yellow or green seeds, inflated (full) or constricted green or yellow pods and tall or dwarf plants (Figure 4.1, Table 4.1).”
Figure 4.1 Seven pairs of contrasting traits in pea plant studied by Mendel