9781422277621

For thousands of years, humans have used a process called selec- tive breeding to develop particular traits, or characteristics, in plants and animals. An Austrian friar named Gregor Mendel was the first to accurately describe the process of heredity: how characteristics are passed on from parent to offspring.

Words to Understand

genetics— the science of genes and heredity. hybridization— to make hybrids by crossing unlike parents.

lime burner— a person who heated and processed limestone in order to make quicklime, a substance used to make mortar and plaster used for building. variety— plants or animals that differ from other members of their species.