In: Biology
Illustrate the evidence provided by Mendel’s experiments in disproving the blending theory of inheritance.
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Blending inheritance:- The discredited theory that inheritance of traits from two parents produces offspring with characteristics that are intermediate between those of the parents. Mendel's experiments with peas were able to disprove blended inheritance and show that genes are actually discreet units that keep their separate identities when passed from generation to generation. One of the reasons for the success of Mendel's experiments was that they were very carefully designed and controlled.
During Mendel's time, the most accepted hypothesis of inheritance of physical characteristics was blended inheritance. The blended inheritance hypothesis suggests that physical traits of offspring are an intermediate of the parents. Mendel read Darwin with deep interest, but he disagreed with the blending notion, hypothesizing instead that traits, such as eye color or height or flower hues, were carried by tiny particles that were inherited whole in the next generation.
An example of blending inheritance is the labradoodle breed of dog from the mating of a labrador and a poodle.