The Work of Mendel

• Gregor Mendel


  An Austrian monk who trained in mathematics and natural history at the University of Vienna
• Mendel's research


  1. Noted how characteristics in plants were passed on from one generation to the next

  2. Results published in 1866

  3. Became the foundation of modern genetics
• Mendel's crosses for height in pea plants

  • First cross: Tall pea plant x Dwarf pea plant, all offspring tall
  • Second cross: Tall pea plant x Tall pea plant, 3 tall, 1 dwarf offspring
• Mendel's conclusions about heredity in plants

  • Characteristics are determined by "hereditary units"
  • Hereditary units are passed on unchanged from both parents
  • Hereditary units can be dominant or recessive
• Mendel's work was cutting edge and new to the scientists of the day, they didn't have the background knowledge to properly understand his findings
• It wasn't until after Mendel's death that people realised how significant his work was
• Understanding of genes developed over time

  1. Late 1800s: Scientists became familiar with chromosomes and how they behave during cell division

  2. Early 1900s: Scientists realised chromosomes and Mendel's "units" acted similarly, proposed "units" were found on chromosomes (now known as genes)

  3. 1953: Structure of DNA determined, allowed further understanding of how genes work