Final answer:
Gregor Mendel developed the principles of heredity by analyzing the results of pea plant crosses mathematically. This allowed him to uncover the underlying system of inheritance, forming the foundation of genetics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gregor Mendel, a monk and botanist, developed the principles of heredity through his meticulous mathematical analysis of the results of pea plant crosses. He discovered that traits are inherited as discrete units, now known as 'genes', through a variety of combinations and permutations. Mendel's experiments involved controlling the pollination between different pea plant varieties and tracking the expression of various traits across multiple generations.
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