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Chapter 160: Hypothesis

Morale Support: Scherzo

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After tallying the statistics for all the fields, everyone focused their attention on fields number 10 and 11.

According to past theories, the crossbreeding of tall-stem peas and short-stem peas should produce peas with random height. It might even have differences due to the variations in pistils and stamens. However, no one expected that in these two crossbred fields, without exception, all the peas turned out to be tall-stem peas.

This contradicted their previous knowledge, leaving the students very surprised.

Because from common sense, a child born to a couple with differences should resemble one of the parents or show an intermediate type with features from both. However, the behavior of peas seemed to be as if the child looked exactly like one parent and not at all like the other, which was unimaginable.

“I envisioned bloodline factors controlling the height of peas, but how they do so exactly can be hypothesized in three ways.”

Reiner explained, starting to draw diagrams on paper.

“The first hypothesis is that the bloodline factor controlling height randomly takes effect, and the offspring will randomly inherit the bloodline factor from the previous generation. If this is true, the experimental phenomenon should be…”

He didn’t rush to finish, instead looking at the three students, hoping they would have their independent thoughts.

“If this is the case, the crossbreed of tall-stem peas and short-stem peas should produce randomly tall or short peas.”

Charlotte answered first. Her thinking was flexible, and she quickly guessed the answer in no time.

“Correct.”

Reiner nodded at Charlotte, making her smile shyly.

“The second hypothesis is that the bloodline factor controlling height takes effect simultaneously, and the offspring will inherit two bloodline factors that fuse and manifest. If this speculation is correct, what would happen?”

“The peas would exhibit tall, short, or medium height.”

Fina answered succinctly. She was academically excellent, and after Charlotte’s response, she naturally understood Reiner’s intention.

“That’s right.”

Reiner smiled. Although Fina didn’t show much, Dana, seeing the other two praised, felt a bit dissatisfied and clenched her fists secretly.

“The third hypothesis is that the offspring will inherit two bloodline factors from the previous generation, but one of the bloodline factors is more dominant, completely suppressing the other. If this hypothesis is true…”

Reiner looked at Dana, making the girl more uneasy. Dana racked her brain and finally answered hesitantly.

“Then the peas might completely exhibit one trait, either all tall or all short.”

Upon hearing Dana’s answer, all the students looked at the two fields where tall-stem peas were thriving, producing plump pods.

“So, does this mean that the bloodline factor for tall stems is stronger than that for short stems, to the extent that all peas have turned into tall-stem peas?”

Charlotte murmured, deep in thought.

“At present, we can say that’s correct. I call this more dominant bloodline factor the dominant bloodline factor, and the corresponding weaker one is the recessive bloodline factor.”

Reiner added, using the method of contrast commonly seen in biological experiments and taking the opportunity to introduce it to his students.

“At the same time, I conducted two sets of experiments. By exchanging the pistils and stamens of the two types of peas to eliminate the influence of gender, we can see that, unless under special circumstances, gender does not affect the traits of offspring.”

“Wait, Mr. Reiner, there’s still a question about this hypothesis. What did the bloodline factor for tall stems do to the bloodline factor for short stems? Did it completely assimilate, or did it just suppress?”

Fina was the first to raise a question, showing deep thinking, earning a slight nod from Reiner.

“Your thinking is correct, Fina. It seems you’ve learned how to conduct logical reasoning and consider every possibility.”

Reiner’s compliment left the usually calm-faced girl momentarily stunned, and then she slightly pursed her lips without saying a word.

“Now we can design an experiment specifically for this question. Since we’ve obtained the crossbred products of tall-stem and short-stem peas through crossbreeding, our second round of planting will allow these peas to self-pollinate normally. This way, we can see the actual condition of the bloodline factor for tall stems in the crossbred peas.”

Saying this, Reiner turned his gaze back to the three students.

“You can propose some hypotheses and analyze the reasons. Later, we’ll determine whether they match the experimental results.”

“If it’s complete assimilation, then the second-generation peas at this time would only have the bloodline factor for tall stems, and the third-generation peas produced through self-pollination should all be tall-stem peas.”

Charlotte said methodically, earning a slightly envious glance from Dana.

“If it’s just simple suppression, then the second-generation peas would have two bloodline factors. The third-generation peas produced through self-pollination…might exhibit both tall and short traits!”

After a little thought, Charlotte completed her speculation.

“Wait a minute. Doesn’t that mean that, even though they are tall-stem peas, they could produce short-stem peas? A trait that didn’t exist in the previous generation could appear in the next generation?”

Dana was somewhat surprised. Such a conclusion, if placed in the past, she would absolutely not believe. However, now, it was the result of step-by-step logical reasoning, making it convincing.

“Although it’s a bit unbelievable, if short-stem plants do appear in the third generation, then this conclusion should be correct.”

Fina nodded, then looked at Reiner.

“Mr. Reiner, there should be more than one type of such traits. We can use other characteristics for comparative experiments.”

“Yes, that’s right. In fact, I have obtained several seeds with different traits through crossbreeding. Our first round of planting mainly focuses on studying the transmission patterns of traits. The second round of planting will explore how bloodline factors influence traits.”

With that said, Reiner felt that the results of the first round of planting were enough to inspire these students to think independently.

After confirming the conditions of all the fields, they planted the categorized crossbred seeds. In about four days, they would be able to observe the condition of the third-generation peas.

In logical inference, if the dominant factor could completely assimilate the recessive factor, then the recessive factor should be extremely rare in nature, contradicting the rich and diverse natural world people observed. From here, one could somewhat predict the results of the experiment.

But Reiner knew that everything ultimately had to be verified through experimenting.