Which observation led Mendel to the idea that traits were controlled by more than a single factor?

Responses

Crossing two purple-flowered pea plants always resulted in a purple-flowered pea plant.
Crossing two purple-flowered pea plants always resulted in a purple-flowered pea plant.

A trait that was not seen in the first generation was completely gone and never reappeared.
A trait that was not seen in the first generation was completely gone and never reappeared.

Crossing two white-flowered pea plants always resulted in a white-flowered pea plant.
Crossing two white-flowered pea plants always resulted in a white-flowered pea plant.

A trait that was not seen in the first generation may later reappear in the second generation.
A trait that was not seen in the first generation may later reappear in the second generation.

The correct observation that led Mendel to the idea that traits were controlled by more than a single factor is:

A trait that was not seen in the first generation may later reappear in the second generation.

Explanation:
Mendel conducted experiments with pea plants and observed the inheritance patterns of different traits. By crossing pea plants with different traits, he noticed that certain traits that were not visible in the first generation, known as the F1 generation, would reappear in the next generation, known as the F2 generation. This observation indicated that traits were not controlled by a single factor, but rather by multiple factors that can be passed down from generation to generation. Mendel's experiments and observations laid the foundation for his understanding of genetic inheritance and the concept of dominant and recessive traits.