FTCE Pre-K Prekindergarten PK-3 Practice Exam 2026 - Free FTCE PK-3 Practice Questions and Study Guide

The science of genetics is fundamentally attributed to Gregor Mendel, who is known as the father of genetics. His experiments with pea plants in the mid-19th century led to the formulation of the basic principles of inheritance, including the concepts of dominant and recessive traits. Mendel's work laid the groundwork for understanding how traits are passed from one generation to the next, which is the essence of genetics.

While James Watson made significant contributions to the understanding of DNA structure alongside Francis Crick, his work came long after Mendel's foundational research. Darwin's theories of evolution contributed to biology broadly but did not specifically establish genetics. Louis Pasteur is renowned for his contributions to microbiology and the germ theory of disease, rather than genetics. Thus, Gregor Mendel is the correct choice for the development of the science of genetics.