3 "But Mendel found that in pea plants, traits didn't mix like paint-they stayed separate." Why does Rita compare gene inheritance to mixing paints? \begin{tabular}{|l|l|}\hline Iype & Draw \\ \hline\end{tabular}

Rita compares gene inheritance to mixing paints to illustrate the concept of how traits are inherited in a way that is distinct and separate, rather than blending together. Here’s a breakdown of the comparison: 1. **Mixing Paints**: When you mix different colors of paint, the resulting color is a blend of the original colors. For example, mixing red and blue paint results in purple. This suggests that the original traits (colors) lose their individual identity and create a new, combined trait. 2. **Gene Inheritance**: In contrast, Mendel's findings in pea plants showed that traits are inherited independently and do not blend. For instance, if a plant has a trait for tallness (T) and another for shortness (t), the offspring will inherit one trait from each parent, resulting in either tall or short plants, but not a mix of the two. 3. **Conclusion**: The comparison emphasizes that, unlike paint, where colors mix to form new shades, genetic traits remain distinct and are passed on as separate entities. This is a fundamental principle of Mendelian genetics, where dominant and recessive traits do not combine but rather segregate during inheritance. In summary, Rita's analogy serves to clarify the concept of genetic inheritance by contrasting it with the more familiar process of mixing paints, highlighting the distinct nature of inherited traits.