Mendel’s theory of Inheritance is based on garden pea ( Pisum sativum) whose chromosome number (2n) is

Correct option is A

Gregor Mendel conducted his inheritance experiments on garden pea (Pisum sativum) because of its clear contrasting characters. The garden pea has a diploid chromosome number of 14, meaning it possesses seven pairs of homologous chromosomes. This simple chromosome number helped in the clear segregation and independent assortment of traits during reproduction. Hence, the chromosome number of garden pea used by Mendel is 2n = 14.
Information booster: Garden pea was selected by Mendel due to its short life cycle and ease of artificial pollination. It has seven pairs of chromosomes, which correspond to the seven pairs of contrasting traits studied by Mendel. Mendel’s experiments laid the foundation of classical genetics and laws of inheritance. Pisum sativum is still widely used in genetic and breeding studies for teaching and research purposes.
Why other options are incorrect: (b) 20 is incorrect as pea does not possess ten chromosome pairs. (c) 24 does not correspond to the chromosome number of garden pea. (d) 28 is incorrect and belongs to other plant species, not Pisum sativum.