Question

Write any two reasons why Mendel's theory of inheritance remained unrecognised till 1900.

Hint:

Mendel's theory was ignored due to lack of cytological proof and advanced concepts. Rediscovered in 1900 by three scientists.

Answer 1

Step 1: Background.
Mendel published his work on pea plant experiments in 1865, but it remained unnoticed until 1900, when rediscovered independently by De Vries, Correns, and Tschermak.

Step 2: Reasons for unrecognition. \begin{enumerate} \item Ahead of time: Mendel's work was conceptually advanced, and the scientific community of his time could not appreciate the significance of statistical analysis and probability in biology. \item Lack of knowledge of chromosomes: Cytological studies of chromosomes and their role in heredity were not understood then, so Mendel's "factors" (genes) could not be correlated with physical structures. \end{enumerate}

Step 3: Conclusion.
Only after cytology and genetics advanced, Mendel's laws were recognized as the foundation of heredity.