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07/12/2025
Biology
Gregor Mendel and the Foundation of Genetics
1 / 5
The Work of Gregor Mendel
Meet the monk who changed science forever! Gregor Mendel wasn't your typical religious figure - he was obsessed with understanding how traits pass from parents to offspring.
Working in the 1800s, Mendel spent years carefully breeding plants and recording his observations. When he published his findings in 1866, he had no idea he was creating the foundation of modern genetics.
Did you know? Mendel's work was so ahead of its time that other scientists didn't understand its importance until decades later!
Mendel's Pea Plant Experiments
Mendel chose pea plants for his experiments because they were perfect for studying inheritance. He focused on height: tall plants have the dominant allele 'T' whilst short plants have two recessive alleles 'tt'.
His first experiment was brilliant in its simplicity. He bred pure-bred tall plants (TT) with short plants (tt). Every single offspring appeared tall because they all inherited at least one dominant T allele.
But here's where it gets interesting! When Mendel bred these offspring together, something unexpected happened. Three-quarters looked tall, but one-quarter were short - the recessive trait had mysteriously reappeared.
Key insight: Traits don't blend together like paint colours - they stay separate and can pop up in later generations!
Mendel's Revolutionary Findings
From his pea plant experiments, Mendel discovered three game-changing principles that still guide genetics today. First, he realised that characteristics are determined by 'hereditary units' - what we now call genes.
Second, these hereditary units pass down unchanged from parents to children. You don't get a mixture of your parents' traits; you get specific units from each parent that remain distinct.
Third, hereditary units are either dominant or recessive. Dominant traits show up whenever they're present, but recessive traits only appear when you inherit them from both parents. This explains why some family traits can skip generations!
Think about it: You might have your grandmother's eye colour even though your parents have different coloured eyes - that's Mendel's principles in action!
After Mendel: Building on the Foundation
Mendel's work was just the beginning of an incredible scientific journey. In the late 1800s, scientists began discovering chromosomes and started to see connections between these structures and inheritance.
The early 1900s brought a major breakthrough when researchers recognised the similarities between Mendel's 'hereditary units' and newly discovered genes. Suddenly, his pea plant experiments made perfect sense!
By 1953, scientists had unlocked the structure of DNA, finally understanding the molecular basis of genes. What started with a monk and his pea plants had evolved into our modern understanding of genetics and heredity.
Amazing fact: It took nearly 90 years for science to fully catch up with Mendel's brilliant insights!
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Anna
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Gregor Mendel: Founding Father of Genetics
Ever wondered why you have your mum's eyes or your dad's height? It all started with a monk named Gregor Mendel who figured out the secrets of inheritance by growing pea plants in his garden during the 1800s. His groundbreaking... Show more
The Work of Gregor Mendel
Meet the monk who changed science forever! Gregor Mendel wasn't your typical religious figure - he was obsessed with understanding how traits pass from parents to offspring.
Working in the 1800s, Mendel spent years carefully breeding plants and recording his observations. When he published his findings in 1866, he had no idea he was creating the foundation of modern genetics.
Did you know? Mendel's work was so ahead of its time that other scientists didn't understand its importance until decades later!
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Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Mendel's Pea Plant Experiments
Mendel chose pea plants for his experiments because they were perfect for studying inheritance. He focused on height: tall plants have the dominant allele 'T' whilst short plants have two recessive alleles 'tt'.
His first experiment was brilliant in its simplicity. He bred pure-bred tall plants (TT) with short plants (tt). Every single offspring appeared tall because they all inherited at least one dominant T allele.
But here's where it gets interesting! When Mendel bred these offspring together, something unexpected happened. Three-quarters looked tall, but one-quarter were short - the recessive trait had mysteriously reappeared.
Key insight: Traits don't blend together like paint colours - they stay separate and can pop up in later generations!
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Mendel's Revolutionary Findings
From his pea plant experiments, Mendel discovered three game-changing principles that still guide genetics today. First, he realised that characteristics are determined by 'hereditary units' - what we now call genes.
Second, these hereditary units pass down unchanged from parents to children. You don't get a mixture of your parents' traits; you get specific units from each parent that remain distinct.
Third, hereditary units are either dominant or recessive. Dominant traits show up whenever they're present, but recessive traits only appear when you inherit them from both parents. This explains why some family traits can skip generations!
Think about it: You might have your grandmother's eye colour even though your parents have different coloured eyes - that's Mendel's principles in action!
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
After Mendel: Building on the Foundation
Mendel's work was just the beginning of an incredible scientific journey. In the late 1800s, scientists began discovering chromosomes and started to see connections between these structures and inheritance.
The early 1900s brought a major breakthrough when researchers recognised the similarities between Mendel's 'hereditary units' and newly discovered genes. Suddenly, his pea plant experiments made perfect sense!
By 1953, scientists had unlocked the structure of DNA, finally understanding the molecular basis of genes. What started with a monk and his pea plants had evolved into our modern understanding of genetics and heredity.
Amazing fact: It took nearly 90 years for science to fully catch up with Mendel's brilliant insights!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Join milions of students
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We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
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Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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Mendelian Genetics Overview
Explore the foundational principles of Mendelian genetics through Gregor Mendel's groundbreaking experiments with pea plants. This summary covers key concepts such as the Law of Dominance, Law of Segregation, and Law of Independent Assortment, along with Mendel's methodology and significant findings in genetic inheritance. Ideal for students studying genetics and heredity.
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4.9/5
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4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user