Which of the criteria contributed to Mendel's success ?
I. Selection of pea plant.
II. Knowledge of history.
III. One character at one time.
IV. His statistical knowledge
Choose the correct option

Options

A. I,II,III and IV
B. II and III
C. I, III and IV
D. IV , III and II

Answer

To determine which criteria contributed to Mendel's success, we can analyze each option provided in the question.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Selection of Pea Plant**:
- Mendel chose the pea plant for his experiments due to its specific characteristics. The pea plant reproduces quickly, is disease-free, and exhibits contrasting traits (e.g., tall vs. dwarf plants, yellow vs. green seeds). These factors made the pea plant an ideal subject for genetic studies.
- **Conclusion**: This criterion contributed to Mendel's success.

2. **Knowledge of History**:
- The statement suggests that Mendel's success was influenced by his knowledge of historical genetics. However, Mendel did not rely on previous research or historical knowledge; he was pioneering in his approach and created his own foundational work in genetics.
- **Conclusion**: This criterion did not contribute to Mendel's success.

3. **One Character at One Time**:
- Mendel focused on one trait at a time during his experiments. For example, he would study the height of the plants in one experiment and the color of the seeds in another. This approach allowed him to clearly observe the inheritance patterns of individual traits without the confusion of multiple variables.
- **Conclusion**: This criterion contributed to Mendel's success.

4. **His Statistical Knowledge**:
- Mendel applied statistical methods to analyze his data, using ratios and creating tables (like Punnett squares) to illustrate the inheritance patterns. His use of mathematics in biology was innovative and allowed for a clearer understanding of genetic principles.
- **Conclusion**: This criterion contributed to Mendel's success.

### Final Answer:
The correct options that contributed to Mendel's success are:
- I. Selection of pea plant
- III. One character at one time
- IV. His statistical knowledge