Concept 5 Genetic inheritance follows rules.

Reginald Punnett worked with William Bateson on genetics research. Punnett later became the first Professor of Genetics at Cambridge.

Group portrait of the Cambridge University Natural Science Club. R. C. Punnett is in the second row, far right. Ernest Rutherford, the physicist, is in the top row, far left.

First page of a 1905 letter written by William Bateson, first Director of the John Innes Institute, to Adam Sedgewick, Cambridge professor. Bateson coined the term "genetics" in this letter.

Second page of a 1905 letter written by William Bateson, first Director of the John Innes Institute, to Adam Sedgewick, Cambridge professor. Bateson coined the term "genetics" in this letter.

Signed picture of William Bateson, around 1920.

William Bateson on a visit to Cornell. Also in photo, A.H. Sturtevant, C. Bridges, and R.A. Emerson, 1921.

William Bateson (left) with R.A. Emerson, 1922.

William Bateson (right) in his garden in Merton, England with Wilhelm Johannsen, 1924.

Excerpt of 1906 letter from W. Spillman to the American Breeders Association. The letter summarizes "recent" discoveries in genetics. Boxed text talks about Bateson's work.

At the beginning of the 20th century, genetics was a "new" science. Bateson promoted genetics by emphasizing the agricultural benefits. Bateson obtained government funding to support genetic research.

How did results from other scientific fields influence genetics and heredity?

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Reginald Punnett worked with William Bateson on genetics research. Punnett later became the first Professor of Genetics at Cambridge.