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11.2: Introduction to the Father of Genetics

  • Page ID
    44456
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    What you’ll learn to do: Identify the impact of Gregor Mendel on the field of genetics and apply Mendel’s two laws of genetics

    Gregor Mendel is often referred to as the Father of Genetics. But just what did he do to earn this honorary title? Though farmers had known for centuries that crossbreeding of animals and plants could favor certain desirable traits, Mendel’s pea plant experiments conducted between 1856 and 1863 established many of the rules of heredity.

    While Mendel never enjoyed recognition in his lifetime, in the decades following his life, scientists would verify his research and learn more about genes and the special substance called DNA that carried each living thing’s specific traits.

    In this outcome we’ll examine the work he did and how his work still impacts genetics today.

    Contributors and Attributions

    CC licensed content, Original
    • Introduction to the Father of Genetics. Authored by: Shelli Carter and Lumen Learning. Provided by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution
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    11.2: Introduction to the Father of Genetics is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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