Which term did Mendel use for what we now call the genes?

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Introduction to Mendel's Work**: Gregor Mendel is known as the father of genetics due to his pioneering work with pea plants. He conducted experiments that laid the foundation for the principles of inheritance.

2. **Mendel's Experiments**: Mendel performed two main types of crosses: monohybrid crosses and dihybrid crosses. These experiments helped him understand how traits are inherited from one generation to the next.

3. **Observation of Inheritance**: Through his experiments, Mendel observed that certain traits were passed from parents to offspring. He noticed that these traits did not blend but instead segregated according to specific ratios.

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