Which term describes the idea that heredity is transmitted as discrete units rather than blended?

Which term describes the idea that heredity is transmitted as discrete units rather than blended?

• A. Blending inheritance
• B. Dominant
• C. Co-dominant
• D. Particulate inheritance

Answer: (D)

Heredity being transmitted as discrete units means traits are carried on separate particles from each parent and passed on intact to offspring. This is particulate inheritance—the idea that genes (alleles) exist as distinct units that segregate during reproduction, so variation is preserved rather than blended away. It explains why a recessive trait can reappear in later generations even when masked in the first: the specific alleles are inherited separately and can combine in offspring. Mendel’s pea experiments famously showed this pattern, with clear, non-blended inheritance of traits across generations. Blending inheritance would predict a gradual averaging and loss of variation, which doesn’t align with how traits reappear; and terms like dominant or co-dominant describe how a trait is expressed, not how it is transmitted.

Heredity being transmitted as discrete units means traits are carried on separate particles from each parent and passed on intact to offspring. This is particulate inheritance—the idea that genes (alleles) exist as distinct units that segregate during reproduction, so variation is preserved rather than blended away. It explains why a recessive trait can reappear in later generations even when masked in the first: the specific alleles are inherited separately and can combine in offspring. Mendel’s pea experiments famously showed this pattern, with clear, non-blended inheritance of traits across generations. Blending inheritance would predict a gradual averaging and loss of variation, which doesn’t align with how traits reappear; and terms like dominant or co-dominant describe how a trait is expressed, not how it is transmitted.