Final answer:
Mendel chose the garden pea for his work on inheritance because it is easy to grow and has a short generation time, exhibits distinct and easily observable traits, and can self-fertilize or cross-fertilize with other plants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mendel chose the garden pea (Pisum sativum) for his work on inheritance for several reasons:
- The garden pea is easy to grow and has a short generation time, allowing many experiments to be completed quickly.
- The garden pea exhibits distinct and easily observable traits, such as plant height, flower color, and seed shape, making it ideal for studying inheritance.
- The garden pea can self-fertilize or cross-fertilize with other plants, providing flexibility in experimental design.