mendel
People have long known that the characteristics of living things are similar in parents and their offspring. Whether its the flower color in pea plants or nose shape in people, it is obvious that offspring resemble their parents. However, it wasnt until the experiments of Gregor Mendel that scientists understood how characteristics are inherited. Mendels discoveries formed the basis of genetics , the science of heredity. Thats why Mendel is often called the "father of genetics. " Its not common for a single researcher to have such an important impact on science. The importance of Mendels work was due to three things: a curious mind, sound scientific methods, and good luck. Youll see why when you read about Mendels experiments.