Which statement best summarizes Mendel's genetic principles?

Which statement best summarizes Mendel's genetic principles?

• A. Both statements A and B
• B. Each organism must inherit a single copy of every gene from each parent
• C. When forming gametes, the two gene sets separate so each gamete contains only one copy of each gene
• D. None of the above

Answer: (A)

Mendelian inheritance rests on two key ideas: organisms carry two alleles for each gene, one allele from each parent, and these alleles separate during the formation of gametes so that each gamete contains only one allele for each gene. The statement that an organism inherits a single copy of every gene from each parent captures the existence of two alleles per gene, one from each parent. The statement that, when forming gametes, the two gene sets separate so each gamete contains only one copy of each gene, captures the separation of alleles during meiosis. Together, they describe how genetic information is passed to offspring: fertilization combines one allele from each parent, restoring two alleles per gene in the zygote. That’s why the option stating both statements is the best answer.

Mendelian inheritance rests on two key ideas: organisms carry two alleles for each gene, one allele from each parent, and these alleles separate during the formation of gametes so that each gamete contains only one allele for each gene. The statement that an organism inherits a single copy of every gene from each parent captures the existence of two alleles per gene, one from each parent. The statement that, when forming gametes, the two gene sets separate so each gamete contains only one copy of each gene, captures the separation of alleles during meiosis. Together, they describe how genetic information is passed to offspring: fertilization combines one allele from each parent, restoring two alleles per gene in the zygote. That’s why the option stating both statements is the best answer.