Why did Mendel decide to conduct his experiment on garden peas? List two reasons. (b) Describe two different visible garden pea characters that Mendel used in his experiment.

(a)   Mendel selected the garden pea plant because of the following characteristics:

(i)  The flowers of the pea plant are bisexual.

(ii)  Pea plant is small and easy to grow.

(iii)  Many true breeding varieties of the pea plant are available.

 (iv)  They have a short life cycle, making the plants easier to maintain.

(v)  Both self and cross-pollination can be made possible.

(b)  Contrasting visible characters of garden peas:

(i)  Round /Wrinkled seeds

(ii)  Tall/Short plants

White/purple flowers