1. Genes exist in pairs: Mendel's work showed that traits are inherited in pairs, one from each parent. This implies that each individual carries two copies of each gene, one from their mother and one from their father. This concept of paired genes is crucial for understanding how traits are passed down through generations.
2. Segregation of alleles: Mendel's Law of Segregation states that during gamete (sperm and egg) formation, the two alleles for a trait separate from each other, so that each gamete only carries one allele for that trait. This means that offspring inherit one allele from their mother and one allele from their father, ensuring variation in traits within a population.
These two fundamental principles laid the foundation for our understanding of heredity and are still essential for modern genetics.
