Think about what you have learned about the scientific method. On the lines below, list some of the steps Mendal might have used to learn about the natural world.

The scientific methods Mendel took to learn about the natural world are as follows:

1. Experimentation

2. Observation

3. Hypothesis

4. Prove of hypothesis

5. Generalization of hypothesis

Explanation:

1. Experimentation: Mendel carried out about seven hybridization experiments. He used pure varieties of peas that only differed in one aspect of their morphology. He carried out monohybrid crosses; a crossing of one variety with smooth seeds with another with rough seeds.

2. Observation:

He was able to observe that the first generation of the hybrids resembled one of the parental lines.

Also, in the second generation (gotten from the hybrids of the first), approximately, 75% of the plants had the same traits as the first generation, while the remaining 25% had the standard traits of the variation that had been lost.

3. Hypothesis:

Having obtained these results, Mendel continued to the next phase of his experimental scientific method: immediately issued a hypothesis to explain these results. Particularly, he proposed that the variations presented by the different lines of peas were as a result of the different “traits” (which would subsequently become known as genes) that exist in plants.

4. Prove of hypothesis:

Mendel set out to prove his hypothesis of the traits underlying the variation in plants.

5. Generalization of hypothesis: Mendel took further steps and attempted to prove that his hypothesis was also true in other plants, and even in animals. Truly, he succcessfully obtained similar results to peas with other legumes.

But his next steps were unsuccessful. He chose plants (Hieracium, known as hawkweed) and animals (like bees) which we know do not have normal systems of sexual reproduction.