Mendel (Gregor Mendel)

Gregor Mendel was a scientist and monk who, in the 19th century, studied how traits are inherited in plants, especially peas. He discovered that each trait (like color or shape) is controlled by units of inheritance, now called genes. Mendel found that these genes come in pairs and are passed independently from parent to offspring, leading to predictable patterns in the traits of future generations. His work laid the foundation for genetics, helping us understand how characteristics are inherited and vary within species.