what was mendel's scientific methodlogy?
http://www.biopoint.com/engaging/MENDEL/MENDEL.HTM
A more extensive description here:
http://mac122.icu.ac.jp/gen-ed/mendel.html
Gregor Mendel, often referred to as the "Father of Modern Genetics," conducted pioneering research on heredity in pea plants in the mid-19th century. His work laid the foundation for the field of genetics.
Mendel's scientific methodology can be summarized in the following steps:
1. Selection of Characteristics: Mendel chose specific characteristics of pea plants to study, such as flower color, seed shape, and plant height. He focused on traits that were easily distinguishable and had only two possible variations, such as tall or short.
2. Selection of Purebred Plants: Mendel used purebred plants to ensure that the traits of interest were expressed consistently in subsequent generations. Purebred plants are those that have been bred for many generations to produce offspring with identical traits.
3. Crossbreeding: Mendel selectively crossed different purebred plants. For example, he would cross a purebred tall plant with a purebred short plant.
4. Observation of Offspring: Mendel carefully observed and recorded the traits that appeared in the offspring (known as the first filial generation or F1 generation) resulting from the crossbreeding. He tracked the frequency and patterns of traits expressed.
5. Self-Fertilization: After observing the F1 generation, Mendel allowed the resulting plants to self-fertilize. This means he let the plants pollinate themselves to produce the second filial generation (F2 generation).
6. Analysis of Offspring Traits: Mendel analyzed the traits that appeared in the F2 generation and observed that certain traits reappeared in a predictable pattern. For example, when he crossed a tall plant (T) with a short plant (t), all the offspring in the F1 generation were tall (Tt). In the F2 generation resulting from self-fertilization, approximately 3/4 of the plants were tall, and 1/4 were short. This led him to formulate his theory of inheritance and the concept of dominant and recessive traits.
7. Development of Laws of Inheritance: Based on his observations and analyses, Mendel developed two fundamental laws: the Law of Segregation and the Law of Independent Assortment. The Law of Segregation states that each individual has two factors (now known as genes) for each trait, and these factors separate during the formation of gametes (sex cells). The Law of Independent Assortment states that the inheritance of one trait does not influence the inheritance of another trait.
Mendel's scientific methodology involved a combination of careful observation, controlled experiments using purebred plants, and meticulous record-keeping. His work laid the groundwork for our understanding of genetics and inheritance.