Mendel worked primarily with which organism?

Gregor Mendel, often referred to as the 'Father of Genetics', conducted his groundbreaking research in the mid-19th century. 1. **Identification of the Scientist**: Mendel was an Augustinian friar who studied inheritance patterns. 2. **Selection of the Organism**: He selected the **garden pea** ($Pisum\ sativum$) for several specific reasons: - They have many distinct, observable traits (e.g., height, seed color). - They are easy to grow and have a short life cycle. - Pollination can be strictly controlled (self-pollination vs. cross-pollination). 3. **Conclusion**: While other scientists later used *Drosophila* (fruit flies) or Maize, Mendel's fundamental laws of inheritance ($Law\ of\ Segregation$ and $Law\ of\ Independent\ Assortment$) were derived entirely from his work with **pea plants**.