By Team Aakash Byju's | 29th December 2022

How many true-breeding pea plant varieties did Mendel select as pairs, which were similar except in one character with contrasting traits?

A

B

C

D

2

14

8

4

Detailed Explanation

The correct answer is  B) 14.

Arrow

A true breeding line refers to a plant that has undergone continuous self-pollination and shown stable trait inheritance and expression for several generations.

Principle of Inheritance

Mendel chose 14 true-breeding varieties of pea plants in pairs, which were similar except for one character with contrasting traits.

Parent Generation

X

X

F1

F2

- Colour of Pea (green or yellow)

- Colour of Pod (green or yellow)

- Size of Plant (tall or dwarf)

F2

F1

Below is the list of all pairs of contrasting features:

×

×

- Position of flowers (axial or     terminal)

- The shape of a Pod     (constricted or inflated)

- The shape of the Pea (round or      wrinkled)

- Colour of Flower (purple or     white)

Character

Dominant Trait

Recessive Trait

Flower Color

Purple

White

Green

Yellow

Seed Color and  Seed Shape

Round

Wrinkled

Green

Yellow

Inflated

Constricted

Pod Color and  Pod Shape

Axial

Terminal

Flower Position and Stem Length

Tall

Dwarf