Which scientist is often referred to as the "father of genetics" for his work with pea plants?

Gregor Mendel is recognized as the "father of genetics" due to his pioneering work in understanding heredity through experiments with pea plants in the mid-19th century. His methodical approach involved crossing different varieties of peas and meticulously recording the traits of the offspring over generations. This led him to formulate fundamental principles of inheritance, including the concepts of dominant and recessive traits, as well as the law of segregation and the law of independent assortment.

Mendel’s observations established a framework for the modern understanding of genetic inheritance, laying the groundwork for what would become the field of genetics. Unlike the other scientists listed, who made significant contributions in other areas of biology or related disciplines, Mendel's focused study of hereditary patterns was groundbreaking and remains foundational in genetics today.