Question

Number of pairs of contrasting characters in pea plants selection by Mendel

• A. 3
• B. 7
• C. 5
• D. 9

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To solve the problem, we need to determine the number of pairs of contrasting characters in pea plants that were selected by Gregor Mendel for his experiments.

1. Understanding Mendel's Experiments:
Gregor Mendel, often referred to as the "Father of Genetics," conducted a series of experiments on pea plants (Pisum sativum) at the Abbey of St. Thomas in Brno, Moravia (now part of the Czech Republic). His work laid the foundation for modern genetics.

2. Contrasting Characters Studied by Mendel:
Mendel carefully selected seven distinct traits (or characteristics) of pea plants and observed how these traits were passed from one generation to the next. These traits included:

• Seed shape: Round vs. wrinkled
• Seed color: Yellow vs. green
• Pod shape: Inflated vs. constricted
• Pod color: Green vs. yellow
• Flower position: Axial vs. terminal
• Flower color: Purple vs. white
• Plant height: Tall vs. dwarf

3. Counting the Pairs:
Each of these traits represents a pair of contrasting characters. For example, "round vs. wrinkled" is one pair, "yellow vs. green" is another, and so on. Since Mendel studied seven such traits, there are seven pairs of contrasting characters.

4. Final Answer:
The correct answer is therefore ${7}$.