RBSE Solutions Class 8 Science Chapter 6 Reproduction in Plants

Reproduction in Plants Textbook Questions Solved

I. Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. 1. Vegetative reproduction is found in
(a) Potato
(b) Wheat
(c) Neem
(d) Pea
Answer: (a) Potato
In simple words: Vegetative reproduction means growing new plants from parts like stems, roots, or leaves, not seeds. Potatoes grow new plants from their "eyes," which are buds on the tuber.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember specific examples for each type of reproduction. For vegetative reproduction, look for plants that grow from non-seed parts like potato eyes or onion bulbs.

Question 1. 2. Fusion of male and female gametes is called
(a) Pollination
(b) Fertilization
(c) Budding
(d) Spore
Answer: (b) Fertilization
In simple words: When male and female reproductive cells join together, it's called fertilization. This process leads to the start of a new organism.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the difference between pollination (transfer of pollen) and fertilization (fusion of gametes). Pollination comes first, enabling fertilization.

Question 1. 3. Unisexual flower is
(a) Maize
(b) Mustard
(c) Rose
(d) Petunia
Answer: (a) Maize
In simple words: A unisexual flower has either male reproductive parts or female reproductive parts, but not both. Maize has separate male and female flowers on the same plant.

🎯 Exam Tip: Learn common examples of unisexual (like maize, papaya, cucumber) and bisexual flowers (like rose, mustard, pea) to easily identify them.

Question 1. 4. Bisexual flower is
(a) Papaya
(b) Maize
(c) Cucumber
(d) Mustard
Answer: (d) Mustard
In simple words: A bisexual flower has both male and female reproductive parts in the same flower. Mustard flowers contain both stamens (male) and pistil (female).

🎯 Exam Tip: When distinguishing between flower types, remember that "bi" means two (both sexes) and "uni" means one (only one sex). This helps in recalling examples.

Question 3. ....................is formed by the fusion of male and female gametes.
Answer: Zygote is formed by the fusion of male and female gametes. The zygote is the first cell of a new organism.
In simple words: When male and female reproductive cells join, they make a zygote.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state the term "Zygote" for the product of gamete fusion, as it's a key biological concept.

Question 4. In...............pollens from the anthers reaches the stigma of the same flower.
Answer: In self-pollination, pollens from the anthers reaches the stigma of the same flower. This ensures genetic similarity to the parent plant.
In simple words: When pollen moves from one part to another part of the same flower, it is called self-pollination.

🎯 Exam Tip: Specify "self-pollination" as the process where pollen transfers within the same flower, distinguishing it from cross-pollination.

Question 3. Match the column A with column B:

🎯 Exam Tip: For differentiation questions, a comparative table is often best. Clearly state the main difference and provide specific examples for each type of pollination.

Question 4. Draw a labelled diagram of a flower.
Answer:In simple words: The diagram shows the main parts of a flower: the anther and pollen (male parts), stigma and pistil (female parts), petals, sepals, ovary, and ovule. Each part has a special job in making new seeds.

🎯 Exam Tip: Practice drawing and labeling a simple flower diagram multiple times. Focus on clearly showing the reproductive parts (stamen and pistil) and their sub-components.

Question 5. Explain parthenocarpy with an example.
Answer: Parthenocarpy is a special process where fruits develop directly from the ovary of a flower without any fertilization happening. This means the ovules inside the ovary do not get fertilized by pollen. As a result, the fruits formed through parthenocarpy do not contain any seeds. This process allows fruits to be produced without the need for pollination or seed development. Good examples of parthenocarpic fruits include bananas and grapes.
In simple words: Parthenocarpy is when a fruit grows from a flower's ovary without needing any seeds inside. Bananas and grapes are examples of these seedless fruits.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define parthenocarpy as fruit development without fertilization and explicitly mention that such fruits are seedless. Always provide common examples like banana and grape.

Question 6. Write the three laws of inheritance given by Mendel.
Answer: Gregor Mendel, often called the "Father of Genetics," gave three important laws of inheritance based on his experiments with pea plants. These laws explain how traits are passed from parents to offspring.
1. Law of Dominance: This law states that when two different pure traits are crossed, only one trait (the dominant one) will show up in the first generation, while the other trait (the recessive one) remains hidden.
2. Law of Segregation: This law explains that during the formation of gametes (reproductive cells), the two alleles (different forms of a gene) for each trait separate from each other, so each gamete receives only one allele.
3. Law of Independent Assortment: This law says that alleles for different traits (like seed color and seed shape) are passed down to offspring independently of each other. This means the inheritance of one trait does not affect the inheritance of another.
In simple words: Mendel's three laws are: Dominance (one trait hides another), Segregation (traits separate when gametes form), and Independent Assortment (different traits are inherited separately).

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the names of Mendel's three laws and be able to briefly explain what each one means. Using simple terms helps show your understanding.

Reproduction in Plants Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Differentiate between Sexual and Asexual Reproduction.
Answer:

🎯 Exam Tip: For differentiation questions, create a clear two-column table. Focus on key contrasts like number of parents, genetic variation, and types of cell division involved.

Question 2. Explain process of sexual reproduction with diagram.
Answer: In the plant kingdom, flowering plants are among the most advanced because their flowers hold the reproductive organs. Some plants have both male and female sex organs in the same flower, making them bisexual or hermaphrodites. Other plants have separate male and female flowers, making them unisexual.
We can understand sexual reproduction by looking at flowers like the Datura. The flower's stalk ends in a swollen part called the thalamus or receptacle, where all four parts of the flower (calyx, corolla, androecium, and gynoecium) are attached.
The androecium (male part) and gynoecium (female part) are the reproductive whorls, while the calyx and corolla are accessory parts. Sepals (members of the calyx) are usually green, and petals (members of the corolla) are often colored and attractive.
The stamen, part of the androecium, has a stalk and a flattened top called the anther, which contains pollen sacs. Inside the anther, male cells develop into pollen grains. Each pollen grain forms two male gametes.
The carpel, the female organ of the gynoecium, has three parts: the basal swollen ovary containing ovules (each with a female gamete or egg), a long tube called the style, and a sticky top called the stigma, which catches pollen grains. After pollination, a pollen tube grows down to the ovary, and one male gamete fuses with the egg, leading to fertilization and the development of a zygote and eventually an embryo.
In simple words: Sexual reproduction in plants happens in flowers. Male parts (pollen) and female parts (ovules) come together. Pollen lands on the sticky part of the flower, a tube grows, and male cells join with the egg inside the ovary to start a new seed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly explain the roles of the male (androecium/stamen/pollen) and female (gynoecium/pistil/ovary/ovule) parts of a flower in sexual reproduction. Describe the steps from pollination to fertilization.

Question 3. Explain different methods of vegetative propagation.
Answer: Vegetative propagation is a method of asexual reproduction in plants where new plants grow from parts of the parent plant like stems, roots, or leaves. It helps in quickly producing many new plants that are exactly like the parent.
1. Cutting: This involves taking a piece of a plant, usually a stem with leaf buds, and placing it in moist soil with nutrients. The cut piece then develops roots and shoots, growing into a new plant. This method is effective for plants like banana, pineapple, rose, bougainvillea, sugarcane, and cactus.
2. Grafting: In grafting, parts of two different plants are joined together to grow as one. The plant chosen for its roots is called the "stock," and the plant chosen for its stem, leaves, flowers, or fruits is called the "scion." The scion receives nutrients from the stock. The resulting plant combines features from both original plants, helping to create better varieties of fruits like mangoes and apples.
3. Layering: This method is used for plants with long, flexible branches. A branch that is still attached to the parent plant is bent and buried in moist soil. This part of the branch is encouraged to grow roots. Once roots have formed, the new plantlet can be cut from the parent plant and grown on its own.
4. Tissue culture: This advanced technique uses a small piece of plant tissue to grow whole new plants in a laboratory setting. Actively growing tissue is placed in a special medium with nutrients. This tissue is treated with chemicals to help it form roots and shoots, creating small plantlets. These plantlets can then be transferred to soil to grow into mature plants. Orchids, bananas, and chrysanthemums are often grown this way.
In simple words: Vegetative propagation helps grow new plants from old plant parts. Methods include cutting a stem and rooting it, grafting by joining two plant parts, layering by rooting a branch while it's still attached, and tissue culture where tiny plant pieces grow into full plants in a lab.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide a clear definition and a specific example for each vegetative propagation method. Mention the advantages, such as producing plants true to type and faster growth.

Reproduction in Plants Additional Questions Solved

I. Multiple Choice Questions

Question 6. After fertilization, which part of the flower converts into fruit?
(a) male gamete
(b) ovules
(c) ovary
(d) parent
Answer: (c) ovary
In simple words: After the male and female parts join, the ovary part of the flower grows bigger and becomes the fruit.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that the ovary ripens to become the fruit, while the ovules inside the ovary develop into seeds after fertilization.

Question 7. Endosperm in angiosperms is:
(a) trimultiple
(b) dimultiple
Answer: (a) trimultiple
In simple words: In flowering plants, the endosperm, which feeds the baby plant, has three sets of chromosomes, making it 'trimultiple' or triploid.

🎯 Exam Tip: Know that the endosperm in angiosperms is typically triploid (3n), formed by the fusion of a male gamete with the central cell's polar nuclei.

Question 9. The migration of pollen grains to stigma is called as
(a) fertilization
(b) fusion
(c) pollination
(d) reproduction
Answer: (c) pollination
In simple words: When pollen moves from one part of a flower to another, it's called pollination. This is the first step for seeds to be made.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly differentiate between pollination (pollen transfer) and fertilization (gamete fusion); pollination is a prerequisite for fertilization.

Question 10. Father of heredity is:
(a) Mendel
(b) Butler
(c) Aristotle
(d) Darwin
Answer: (a) Mendel
In simple words: Gregor Mendel is known as the father of heredity because he discovered how traits are passed from parents to children using pea plants.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember Gregor Mendel's name as he laid the foundation for modern genetics through his work on inheritance.

Question 11. How many Laws of heredity are there?
(a) 1
(b) 2
(c) 3
(d) 4
Answer: (c) 3
In simple words: There are three main rules about how traits are passed down, discovered by Mendel.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall the names of Mendel's three laws: Law of Dominance, Law of Segregation, and Law of Independent Assortment.

Question 12. Seed dispersal take place by
(a) wind
(b) water
(c) animals
(d) all of the above
Answer: (d) all of the options
In simple words: Seeds can be spread to new places by wind, water, or animals. Each method helps plants grow in different areas.

🎯 Exam Tip: Think about the various ways seeds move from one place to another. Wind, water, and animals are primary agents of dispersal, each suited to different seed types.

Reproduction in Plants Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What is reproduction?
Answer: Reproduction is the process by which living organisms create new individuals of the same type. This process ensures the continuation of life.
In simple words: Reproduction is when living things make new babies or offspring that are like them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define reproduction as the biological process that creates new individuals, ensuring species continuity.

Question 2. Write the two examples of a sexual reproduction.
Answer: Two common examples of sexual reproduction are seen in humans and flowering plants. In these organisms, new individuals are formed when male and female reproductive cells (gametes) combine.
In simple words: Humans and many flowering plants reproduce sexually, meaning they need both a male and a female part to make new life.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for examples of sexual reproduction, think of organisms where male and female gametes fuse, such as mammals or most flowering plants.

Question 3. Define cutting process. How does a new plant produce?
Answer: The cutting process is a method of vegetative propagation where a piece of a plant's stem, often cut at an angle, is planted in moist soil. After some time, this cut piece develops new roots and grows into a complete new plant. This allows for new plants to be grown from a part of the parent plant.
In simple words: Cutting is when you cut a piece of a plant stem and put it in soil. This piece then grows roots and becomes a whole new plant.

🎯 Exam Tip: When defining "cutting," ensure you mention taking a part of the plant (usually stem), placing it in soil, and its ability to develop roots and grow into a new plant.

Question 4. Name the largest and smallest flower?
Answer: The largest flower in the world is Rafflesia, known for its massive size and distinct smell. The smallest flower is Wolffia, which is tiny and often floats on water.
In simple words: The biggest flower is Rafflesia, and the smallest flower is Wolffia.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the specific names: Rafflesia for the largest and Wolffia for the smallest flower.

Question 7. Define heredity.
Answer: Heredity is the natural process by which living organisms pass on their unique traits and characteristics from one generation to the next. This is how children resemble their parents.
In simple words: Heredity is how parents pass on their features, like eye color, to their children.

🎯 Exam Tip: The key idea in defining heredity is the transfer of characters or traits from parents to offspring across generations.

Question 8. Who is known as the father of genetics?
Answer: Sir Gregor John Mendel is recognized as the father of genetics. His pioneering experiments with pea plants helped discover the basic rules of inheritance.
In simple words: Gregor John Mendel is called the father of genetics because he first found out how traits are passed down.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state Gregor John Mendel as the "Father of Genetics" due to his foundational work on heredity.

Question 9. Name the vegetative parts of plants.
Answer: The main vegetative parts of plants are the stem and leaves. These parts are involved in growth and survival, but not directly in sexual reproduction.
In simple words: The stem and leaves are the parts of a plant that help it grow and live.

🎯 Exam Tip: Vegetative parts are those not directly involved in sexual reproduction; typically, stems, leaves, and roots.

Question 10. Give example of bisexual and unisexual flower.
Answer: Examples of bisexual flowers, which contain both male and female reproductive organs, include mustard and rose. Examples of unisexual flowers, which have only male or female organs, are cucumber, maize (corn), and watermelon.
In simple words: Mustard and rose are bisexual flowers (have both male and female parts). Cucumber, maize, and watermelon flowers are unisexual (have only male or only female parts).

🎯 Exam Tip: Practice remembering distinct examples for both bisexual (e.g., rose, mustard) and unisexual flowers (e.g., corn, papaya, cucumber).

Reproduction in Plants Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What is fertilization? Name the cell formed as product of fertilization.
Answer: Fertilization is the biological process where a male nucleus and a female nucleus combine to form a new cell. This fusion typically happens within the ovule of a flower. Fertilization results in the formation of a diploid cell called the zygote. The zygote then develops into an embryo.
In simple words: Fertilization is when male and female cells join together. The new cell made from this joining is called a zygote.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define fertilization as the fusion of gamete nuclei. The key product is the zygote, so remember to name it explicitly.

Question 3. Why reproduction is necessary?
Answer: Reproduction is crucial because it ensures that biological species continue to exist over long periods, from their very beginning. While processes like respiration and excretion are vital for an individual's own life, reproduction is essential for the survival and ongoing presence of the entire species in the world. Without reproduction, species would die out.
In simple words: Reproduction is needed for any type of living thing to keep existing. It makes sure that new generations are born so the species doesn't disappear.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on "continuity of species" and "existence in the universe" as key phrases to explain why reproduction is necessary.

Question 4. How do fungi and fern reproduce to give rise to new plants?
Answer: Fungi and fern plants mainly reproduce through a process called spore formation. Spores are tiny, lightweight reproductive bodies that are released into the air. Each spore is enclosed in a tough, protective outer coat, which helps it survive harsh conditions like high temperatures and low humidity. When these spores land in a favorable environment with enough moisture and warmth, they germinate, meaning they start to grow and develop into new individual fungi or fern plants.
In simple words: Fungi and ferns make new plants using tiny spores. These spores have a strong cover and can fly in the air. When they land in a good, wet place, they grow into new plants.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight "spore formation" as the primary method for fungi and ferns. Emphasize the protective coat of spores and their ability to germinate under favorable conditions.

Question 5. Explain the process of spore formation?
Answer: Spore formation, or sporogenesis, is a very common way for fungi to reproduce asexually. In this process, a special structure called a sporangium (plural: sporangia) grows from the fungal hypha (thread-like structure). Inside the sporangium, the nucleus divides many times, forming numerous daughter nuclei. Each daughter nucleus then gets surrounded by a bit of cytoplasm and develops into a spore. When the spores are mature, the sporangium breaks open, releasing the spores. These spores are light and can be carried by air. When they land on a suitable surface or substratum, they germinate and grow into new fungal hyphae. Rhizopus, commonly known as bread mold, is a classic example of a fungus that reproduces this way.
In simple words: Spore formation is how fungi make new plants. A special bag called a sporangium grows and fills with tiny spores. When the spores are ready, the bag opens, and the spores fly out. If they land somewhere good, they grow into new fungi.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the key structures (sporangium, spores) and the sequence of events: nuclear division, spore development, release, and germination, along with an example like Rhizopus.

Question 6. Fruits are divided into how many classes? Explain.
Answer: Fruits are generally classified into three main groups based on how they develop from the flower. Understanding these categories helps in recognizing fruit diversity.
1. Simple fruits: These fruits develop from a single matured ovary within a single flower. If other flower parts are also fused with the ovary to form the fruit, they are called accessory fruits. Examples include mango and wheat.
2. Aggregate fruits: These fruits develop from multiple separate ovaries within a single flower. Each ovary forms a small fruitlet, and these fruitlets cluster together to form one aggregate fruit. (Example: raspberry, strawberry - *enriching sentence*).
3. Multiple fruits: These fruits develop from the ovaries of several flowers that are clustered together on an inflorescence (a group of flowers). The entire cluster of flowers matures into a single, combined fruit. An example of a multiple fruit is a mulberry.
In simple words: Fruits are sorted into three main types: Simple fruits (from one flower, like mango), aggregate fruits (from many tiny ovaries in one flower, like raspberries), and multiple fruits (from many flowers growing together, like mulberry).

🎯 Exam Tip: When classifying fruits, define each type (Simple, Aggregate, Multiple) based on the floral parts they develop from, and provide clear examples for each category.

Activity Based Questions

Activity 1

Question 1. What are scars of a potato called? How do these help the potato?
Answer: The scars on a potato are commonly called its "eyes." These eyes are actually small buds from which new potato plants can sprout and grow. They are essential for the potato's vegetative reproduction.
In simple words: Potato scars are called "eyes." New potato plants grow from these eyes.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that potato "eyes" are buds, and they are crucial for asexual reproduction (vegetative propagation) of the plant.

Activity 2

Question 1. Which plant is propagated through stem cutting?
Answer: The rose plant is commonly propagated through stem cutting. A cut piece of a rose stem can develop roots and grow into a new rose plant.
In simple words: Rose plants are grown by cutting a piece of their stem and planting it.

🎯 Exam Tip: For plants propagated by stem cutting, rose is a classic example. Also remember sugarcane, hibiscus, and bougainvillea.

Activity 3

Question 1. What happens to the series of buds in yeast?
Answer: In yeast, a series of buds typically detach from the parent yeast cell. Once detached, these individual buds grow and develop into new, independent yeast organisms. This process is a form of asexual reproduction.
In simple words: Yeast buds break off from the main yeast cell. Then, each bud grows into a new, separate yeast.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on "detachment" and "independent growth" when explaining what happens to yeast buds in asexual reproduction.

Question 2. What are spores look like?
Answer: Spores usually look like tiny, lightweight particles, similar to fine dust or powdered mesh cotton. They are typically very small and can be easily carried by wind.
In simple words: Spores look like very tiny dust, like fine mesh cotton.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe spores as small, light particles that resemble fine powder or dust, allowing for easy dispersal.

Activity 4

Question 1. Find out the different parts of Datura flower.
Answer: The student should draw a chart that labels the different parts of a Datura flower. Key parts to include are the pedicel, thalamus, sepals (forming the calyx), petals (forming the corolla), stamens (anther and filament), and the pistil (stigma, style, and ovary with ovules).
In simple words: Students need to draw a chart showing all the parts of a Datura flower, like its petals, leaves, and the parts that help it make seeds.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to draw and label, ensure all major floral parts (calyx, corolla, androecium, gynoecium) and their sub-components are clearly shown and correctly named.

Question 3. Write the importance of vegetative reproduction.
Answer: Vegetative reproduction is very important for several reasons:

• It is the only way to grow specific varieties of plants that do not produce seeds naturally, such as bananas, sugarcane, roses, and some types of grapes and oranges. This helps in commercial farming.
• Plants grown through vegetative propagation develop much faster and produce flowers and fruits more quickly than those grown from seeds. It also offers a definite growth outcome, unlike seeds which can be uncertain.
• New plants created this way are exactly like the parent plant, keeping all the desired traits stable over generations. Plants grown from seeds might sometimes have different or less desirable characteristics.
• This method also allows for a high yield, meaning many new plants can be produced from a single parent plant.

In simple words: Vegetative reproduction helps grow specific types of plants that don't have seeds. It also makes plants grow faster and ensures new plants are exactly like their parent, which is good for farming.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to list specific examples of plants for each point to demonstrate your understanding.

Question 4. What is pollination? How does it lead to fertilization? Explain with the help of diagram?
Answer: Pollination is the process where pollen grains are moved from the anther (male part) to the stigma (female part) of a flower. This is a crucial step for plants to reproduce. After pollination, the process leads to fertilization as follows:

The pollen grains land on the stigma and start to grow a thin tube called a pollen tube. This tube grows downwards through the style and reaches the ovary. Inside the ovary, the pollen tube finds the ovule and enters it through a tiny opening. Then, a male gamete from the pollen tube joins with the egg cell inside the ovule. This joining of male and female gametes is called fertilization. Fertilization results in the formation of a zygote, which then develops into an embryo, leading to the growth of a new plant.

In simple words: Pollination is when pollen moves to the right part of a flower. After that, a tube grows from the pollen into the flower's ovary. A male cell then joins with the female egg cell inside the ovary. This joining is fertilization, which makes a new seed grow.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define both pollination and fertilization, and explain the sequence of events from pollen landing on the stigma to the formation of the zygote. A simple, well-labelled diagram of the ovule and gamete fusion is essential.

Question 5. Explain the structure of Datura plant with diagram?
Answer: The Datura flower is shaped like a funnel and comes in colors like creamish white, pink, or light violet. It is a complete flower with several distinct parts:

• Floral Parts:
  • Pedical: This is a small, green, stick-like structure that holds the flower on its stem.
  • Thalamus: At the top of the pedical, there is a flat, disk-like structure called the thalamus. It supports all the other parts of the flower.
  • Calyx: This is the outermost whorl, made up of five green, cup-shaped leaf-like structures called sepals, which protect the bud.
  • Corolla: This is the whorl of petals found next to the calyx. In Datura, the corolla can be creamish white, pink, or violet.
• Sexual Parts:
  • Androecium or Stamen: This is the third inner whorl and the male reproductive part of the flower. It consists of five stamens. Each stamen has a stalk and a flattened top called the anther, or pollen sacs. These anthers produce pollen grains, which develop into male gametes.
  • Gynoecium or Carpel: This is the innermost whorl and the female reproductive part. A Datura flower has two carpels that join together to form a pitcher-shaped structure. The bottom, swollen part is the ovary, which contains ovules. A long tube-like part called the style grows from the ovary, and its tip is slightly swollen and sticky, known as the stigma. The stigma collects pollen grains during pollination.

In simple words: A Datura flower looks like a funnel and has parts like the pedical (stem support), thalamus (base), calyx (green protective leaves), and corolla (colorful petals). Its male part, the androecium, makes pollen, and its female part, the gynoecium, has the ovary, style, and stigma, where seeds are formed.

🎯 Exam Tip: For explaining flower structures, remember to describe both the floral parts (support and protection) and the sexual parts (reproduction), detailing the function of each component.

Question 6. Define genes. Make the list of contrasting traits of pea plant studied by Mendel.
Answer: Genes are the basic units of heredity. Gregor Mendel's experiments led him to conclude that certain factors are responsible for specific structural and physiological traits in organisms, and these factors exist in pairs. Today, these factors are known as genes. Genes carry genetic information that determines the characteristics of an individual. Mendel conducted experiments on pea plants, studying seven pairs of contrasting traits:

In simple words: Genes are like instructions that tell a plant or animal what traits it will have. Mendel found that pea plants have different versions of these instructions (genes) that lead to contrasting traits, like being tall or short, or having green or yellow pods.

🎯 Exam Tip: When defining genes, emphasize their role in heredity and remember to list at least 3-4 of Mendel's contrasting pea plant traits to show your knowledge of his work.