Question:

Mendel selected Pisum sativum for his experimental investigations among various plants available in the Monastery garden. Which of the following can be a reason for this?

Updated On: Aug 15, 2022
  • It has a short life cycle
  • It has distinctive, contrasting traits like tall and dwarf plant
  • It easily undergoes self pollination
  • All of these
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Pure varieties of pea are available. Pea plants show a number of easily detectable contrasting characters. The flower structure of pea is such as to allow controlled breeding. Pea flower normally remains closed and undergoes self pollination. It is an annual plant with short life span and gives results within $3$ months. A large number of seeds are produced per plant. The plant is grown easily and does not require after-care except at the time of pollination. Though pea plant is self pollinated, but it can be cross bred manually. $F_1$ hybrids are fertile.
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Concepts Used:

Principles of Inheritance and Variation - Mutation

A Mutation is a change in the sequence of our DNA base pairs caused by numerous environmental stimuli such as UV light or mistakes during DNA replication. Germline mutations take place in the eggs and sperm and can be passed onto offspring, whereas somatic mutations take place in body cells and are not passed on.

Types of Mutations

There are three types of mutations, which are as follows:

Silent mutation

It refers to any change in DNA sequence that has no effect on the amino acid sequence in a protein or the functions that a protein performs. There is no phenotypic indication that a mutation has occurred.

Nonsense mutation

When there is a change in the sequence of base pairs due to a point mutation, that results in a stop codon. This leads to a protein that is either shortened or non-functional.

Missense mutation

A missense mutation occurs when a point mutation causes a change in the codon, which then codes for another amino acid.

The mutation is caused by the following factors:

Internal Causes

When DNA copies incorrectly, the majority of mutations occur. Evolution occurs as a result of all of these mutations. DNA makes a copy of itself during cell division. When a copy of DNA isn't flawless, it's called a mutation since it differs somewhat from the original DNA.

External Causes

When certain chemicals or radiations are used to break down DNA, it causes the DNA to break down. The thymine dimers are broken by UV radiation, resulting in altered DNA.