How does Mendel’s experiment show that traits are inherited independently?
In the first experiment, Mendel examined only one trait at a time. This gave the information on how alleles of a gene pair express itself. In later experiments, Mendel took two contrasting traits and crossed them like the previous one. For example, long and dwarf variety with round or wrinkled seeds. In all the experiments, he found that if only one trait is considered the result is the same as the previous one. That meant that the two traits do not interfere with each other at all. This conclusion leads to Mendel’s second law, which we call the “Law of Independent Assortment”.
Next: A man with blood group A marries a woman with blood group O and
their daughter has blood group O. Is this information enough to tell you
which of the traits – blood group A or O – is dominant? Why or why not?
See also: How do Mendel’s experiments show that traits may be dominant or recessive
