Question

Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given.
Which characteristic of pea plants was not important in their selection as Mendels research organism?

• A. most other scientists of the time were also using peas, so a lot was known about them
• B. peas are easy to cultivate, and have a short generation time
• C. pea plants are self-pollinating but can be cross-fertilized easily
• D. many true-breeding varieties were available

Answer 1

The correct option is A most other scientists of the time were also using peas, so a lot was known about them

Mendel selected garden pea plant (Pisum sativum) as his experimental material because it has the following advantages:

• The plants were able to self fertilize. However, cross-pollination could be done easily in a controlled manner.
  
• They had easily observable traits such as plant height, flower color etc.
• Since the plants were mostly self-fertilizing (the same plant possessing both male and female gametes) true breeding varieties that continued to produce the same offsprings up to several generations could easily be generated from them.
  
• Peas are easy to cultivate and have a short generation time.

So, the correct option is 'most other scientists of the time were also using peas, so a lot was known about them'.