Question

Mendel crossed long and dwarf plants of pea. The percentage of long and dwarf plants in first filial generation (F\(_1\)) was

• A. 100% long plants
• B. 100% dwarf plants
• C. 50% long and 50% dwarf plants
• D. 100% plants of medium size

Hint:

Remember: In Mendel's pea plant experiments, the F\(_1\) generation from a cross between a homozygous dominant and a homozygous recessive plant shows only the dominant trait. The ratio of traits is observed in F\(_2\).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Mendel's Cross of Pea Plants
Mendel crossed a homozygous long pea plant (dominant, TT) with a homozygous dwarf pea plant (recessive, tt). The F\(_1\) generation consisted of offspring with genotype Tt, where the dominant trait (long plant) expresses itself.

Step 2: Result of the Cross
In Mendel's experiment, all the plants in the F\(_1\) generation were heterozygous (Tt) and exhibited the dominant trait (long plants). The percentage of long plants was 100%. However, in the F\(_2\) generation (produced by self-crossing F\(_1\) plants), the expected ratio of long to dwarf plants was 3:1.

Step 3: Conclusion
Since the F\(_1\) generation consists of 100% long plants (heterozygous Tt), the correct answer is 50% long and 50% dwarf plants in the next generation.
\[ \boxed{\text{50% long and 50% dwarf plants}} \]