Question

A scientist pollinates a true-breeding pea plant with violet, terminal flowers with pollen from a true-breeding pea plant with white, axial flowers. Which of the following observations would most accurately describe the F₁ generation?

a) All plants have violet, terminal flowers.
b) All plants have white, axial flowers.
c) All plants have a combination of violet and white flowers.
d) The flower color and arrangement are unrelated in the F₁ generation.

Answer 1

Mendel's experiments with pea plants showed that in the F2 generation around 75% of the plants had violet flowers. The correct answer is option a).

Step-by-step explanation:

The scientific inquiry described in the question pertains to a classic genetics experiment undertaken by Gregor Mendel, where he assessed inheritance patterns in pea plants. When a true-breeding pea plant with violet, terminal flowers is crossed with a true-breeding pea plant with white, axial flowers.

Proceeding to the F2 generation, Mendel found that approximately three-quarters of the plants had violet flowers and the remaining had white flowers, demonstrating a typical 3:1 Mendelian ratio for a single gene trait. The correct observation that most accurately describes the F2 generation.

Right after the initial cross, would be 75% violet flowers; 25% white flowers with no specified information about the distribution of terminal or axial flowers. Consequently, within the options provided, the best choice that aligns with Mendel's actual findings would be option a) 75% violet flowers; 75% terminal flowers.