Who is recognized as the "father of genetics" for his experiments with pea plants?

Gregor Mendel is recognized as the "father of genetics" due to his groundbreaking experiments with pea plants, which laid the foundation for the science of heredity. In the mid-19th century, Mendel conducted meticulous experiments on plant hybridization. He discovered the fundamental laws of inheritance, including the concepts of dominant and recessive traits, which explained how characteristics are passed from one generation to the next. His work elucidated the predictable patterns of inheritance, which were later formulated into what we now refer to as Mendel's laws of segregation and independent assortment.

Mendel’s choice of pea plants was particularly significant because they have clear, distinct traits that can be easily observed, such as flower color and seed shape. By carefully documenting the outcome of his crosses, Mendel was able to demonstrate how traits are inherited, establishing the basis for modern genetics.

The other individuals mentioned in the options contributed to various fields significantly but are not associated with the foundational principles of genetics. Charles Darwin is known for his theory of evolution through natural selection, Charles Lyell for his work in geology and the principles of uniformitarianism, and James Hutton also made significant contributions to geology, particularly regarding earth formation and the concept of deep time.