GCSE Biology - Gregor Mendel and the History of Genetics #76

Gregor Mendel, an Austrian scientist and monk, is known as the father of genetics. In the 1800s, he conducted experiments with pea plants to understand how traits are passed from one generation to the next. He discovered hereditary units, now known as genes, which can be dominant or recessive. His work laid the foundation for modern genetics, although it wasn't recognized until decades after his death. The discovery of chromosomes and DNA structure further advanced the field, culminating in the sequencing of the human genome in 2003.

Who is considered the founding father of genetics?

• Isaac Newton

• Albert Einstein

• Gregor Mendel

• Charles Darwin

What did Mendel call the units that are passed from one generation to the next?

• DNA

• Hereditary units

• Chromosomes

• Genes

In Mendel's experiments, what was the result of crossing two yellow pea plants?

• All green offspring

• All yellow offspring

• 3/4 yellow and 1/4 green offspring

• Half yellow and half green offspring

When did scientists discover the structure of DNA?

• 1800s

• 1900s

• 1950s

• 2003

What major genetic milestone was achieved in 2003?

• Identification of hereditary units

• Sequencing of the human genome

• Understanding of dominant and recessive traits

• Discovery of chromosomes