What you’ll learn to do: Identify the impact of Gregor Mendel on the field of genetics and apply Mendel’s two laws of genetics

Gregor Mendel is often referred to as the Father of Genetics. But just what did he do to earn this honorary title? Though farmers had known for centuries that crossbreeding of animals and plants could favor certain desirable traits, Mendel’s pea plant experiments conducted between 1856 and 1863 established many of the rules of heredity.

While Mendel never enjoyed recognition in his lifetime, in the decades following his life, scientists would verify his research and learn more about genes and the special substance called DNA that carried each living thing’s specific traits.

In this outcome we’ll examine the work he did and how his work still impacts genetics today.