2. Genetics
• Genetics is the study of principles and mechanism of inheritance
and variation.
• The science of genetics was pioneered by Gregor Johann Mendel,
who is considered to be the Father of Classical Genetics.
3. • Inheritance is the process by which characters (traits) are passed
on from parent to progeny.
• Continuity of the gene pool is established by the process of
inheritance.
4. • Variation is the degree by which progeny differ from their parents.
• Variation may be in terms of morphology, physiology, cytology
and behavioural traits of individuals belonging to same species.
• Variation arise due to:
• Crossing over (Recombination)
• Mutation
• The environmental effects on gene expression.
6. • Gregor Mendel conducted hybridization experiments on garden
pea plant (Pisum sativum) for seven years (1856-1863) and
proposed the three laws of inheritance.
• Mendel was the first to propose that there are factors responsible
for passing on the traits from parent to the offspring.
7. • Selection of pea plant:- The main reasons why Mendel adopted
garden pea plant (Pisum sativum) for experiments were –
• Pea has many distinct contrasting characters.
• Life span of pea plant is short.
• Flowers show self-pollination, reproductive whorls being enclosed
by corolla.
• It is easy to artificially cross-pollinate the pea flowers and the
hybrids thus produced were fertile.
8. 7 pairs of contrasting traits in pea plant studied bymendel
