The modern understanding of the generational inheritance of traits is based upon the studies made by Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk. He selected pea plants (Pisum sativum) for his breeding experiments because they serve as a good model being an annual plant with perfect bisexual flowers along with many contrasting characteristics.

When both the parents with certain characteristics of pure lines are crossed, then all the members of the progeny are of only one phenotype. The phenotype that is expressed in the progeny of the first generation, also known as the first filial generation (F1), is the dominant character, while the phenotype which isn’t expressed is the recessive character.

In this biology activity for dihybrid cross, we’re considering pure homozygous yellow seeds and red-coloured flowers in pea plants which is a dominant trait with homozygous green seeds and white-coloured flowers in pea plants which is a recessive trait for pollination.

In F1 generation, all the progeny has yellow seeds and red-coloured flowers.

When F1 generation was self-pollinated and F2 generation was obtained, it was observed that along with parental traits of F generation, new combinations of traits, i.e. yellow seeds with white coloured flowers and green seeds with red coloured flowers, were seen.

From the results obtained in F2 generation, Mendel proposed that such a new combination is possible only when factors (later known as genes) control a specific trait and are inherited independently of each other, inferring the law of independent assortment.

Check all science experiments.

Watch this video to learn more about SimuLab.

Requirements for this Science Experiment

⦁ Beaker ⦁ Beads