Which term best describes heredity as discrete units transmitted through generations, as proposed by Mendelian principles?

Which term best describes heredity as discrete units transmitted through generations, as proposed by Mendelian principles?

• A. Particulate inheritance
• B. Dominant
• C. Co-dominant
• D. Linkage

Answer: (A)

Heredity is best described as discrete units transmitted through generations, which Mendel called particles. These particles—now understood as genes—exist in alternative forms (alleles) and segregate during gamete formation, so offspring inherit one allele from each parent. This idea explains how traits can reappear in later generations even if hidden in intermediate ones and forms the basis of Mendel’s laws of segregation and independent assortment. It also preserves variation, rather than blending it away. Dominant describes which allele’s effect is seen in a heterozygote, not the mechanism of inheritance. Codominant refers to a pattern where both alleles are fully expressed in the phenotype. Linkage concerns genes that are close together on a chromosome and tend to be inherited together, which is about how genes are arranged and inherited, not the discrete-unit concept Mendel introduced.

Heredity is best described as discrete units transmitted through generations, which Mendel called particles. These particles—now understood as genes—exist in alternative forms (alleles) and segregate during gamete formation, so offspring inherit one allele from each parent. This idea explains how traits can reappear in later generations even if hidden in intermediate ones and forms the basis of Mendel’s laws of segregation and independent assortment. It also preserves variation, rather than blending it away.

Dominant describes which allele’s effect is seen in a heterozygote, not the mechanism of inheritance. Codominant refers to a pattern where both alleles are fully expressed in the phenotype. Linkage concerns genes that are close together on a chromosome and tend to be inherited together, which is about how genes are arranged and inherited, not the discrete-unit concept Mendel introduced.