In biology, Gregor Mendel is popularly known as the father of which field?

Introduction / Context:
Gregor Mendel conducted pioneering experiments on pea plants that laid the foundation for our understanding of inheritance. Questions in biology and general science often ask which scientific field he is associated with as a founding figure. This question uses that classic recognition test.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks how Mendel is popularly titled in relation to a scientific field.
• The options pair him with physiology, geology, genetics, or biology in general.
• We assume basic knowledge of school level biology and inheritance.

Concept / Approach:
Mendel systematically studied how traits such as flower colour and seed shape were passed from one generation of pea plants to the next. From his observations, he formulated the laws of inheritance, such as the law of segregation and the law of independent assortment. These principles are central to the field of genetics. For this reason, he is widely called the Father of Genetics, not the father of physiology, geology, or biology as a whole.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the experiments Mendel did with pea plants, focusing on traits and their inheritance patterns.Step 2: Note that his work directly concerns how traits are passed from parents to offspring, which is the domain of genetics.Step 3: Recognise that physiology deals with functions of organisms, geology with Earth and rocks, and biology broadly covers all life sciences, while genetics is the specific field shaped by Mendel's laws.Step 4: Match this understanding with the options and select Father of Genetics as the correct title.

Verification / Alternative check:
Biology textbooks and reference works consistently refer to Mendel as the Father of Genetics. They emphasise that his laws of inheritance formed the basis for later molecular and population genetics. There is no parallel tradition calling him the founding figure of physiology, geology, or the entire field of biology, which confirms the accepted title.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Father of Physiology: This title is not associated with Mendel; his work did not primarily address physiological processes such as organ function.
Father of Geology: Geology concerns rocks and Earth structure, and Mendel did not work in that field.
Father of Biology: Biology is a broad discipline, and while Mendel is very important, the title Father of Genetics is specific and widely used, rather than a general father of all biology.

Common Pitfalls:
A few candidates may be misled by the more general sounding Father of Biology option, especially if they only loosely remember that Mendel did something important in life sciences. Others might confuse Mendel with other key figures like Darwin. Careful reading and recall that Mendel's key contribution is about heredity and genes will guide you to genetics as the correct field.

Final Answer:
Gregor Mendel is popularly known as the Father of Genetics.