The father of modern genetics.
Did you know that much of what we know about genetics and heredity is based on the experiments of a monk who grew peas in his garden? Gregor Mendel, through his studies on heredity in plants, laid the foundations of what we understand today as genetics. His discoveries forever changed our understanding of how traits are passed from generation to generation, and although he was not fully recognized in his time, his legacy remains essential in fields as diverse as biotechnology, medicine, and criminology.
In this module, you will explore the life of Gregor Mendel and his famous experiments with peas, which led him to formulate the Laws of Heredity, which explain how genetic traits are passed from parents to offspring. In addition, we will delve into fundamental concepts such as DNA, basic genetics, and the chromosomal theory of inheritance, understanding how Mendel was able to predict the inheritance patterns of genes. We will also see how his principles continue to be applied today in areas such as biotechnology, genetic medicine, and even criminology.
Character Curiosities
- 🌱 Mendel chose peas as a model because they had well-defined characteristics, which allowed him to make controlled crosses and obtain clear results.
- 📊 Although his experiments were pioneering, Mendel knew nothing about DNA, but his discoveries predicted the existence of what we know today as molecular genetics.
- 🔬 Mendel was an Augustinian monk, and his religious vocation did not prevent him from making discoveries that changed science.
