Which of the following states that genes for different traits can segregate independently during gamete formation?

Which of the following states that genes for different traits can segregate independently during gamete formation?

• A. Independent assortment
• B. Law of segregation
• C. Codominance
• D. Dominance

Answer: (A)

The concept that genes for different traits can segregate independently during gamete formation is defined by the principle of independent assortment. This principle was established by Gregor Mendel through his experiments with pea plants. Mendel observed that when he crossed plants that differed in two traits, the inheritance of one trait did not influence the inheritance of the other. This means that alleles for separate traits are passed on independently, allowing for a variety of potential combinations in the offspring. In contrast, the law of segregation describes how alleles separate from each other during the formation of gametes, ensuring that each gamete carries only one allele for each trait. Codominance refers to a genetic scenario in which both alleles in a heterozygote are fully expressed, and dominance describes a situation where one allele masks the effect of another. These concepts, while important in genetics, do not pertain to the independent behavior of different traits during gamete formation, which is exclusively explained by the principle of independent assortment.

The concept that genes for different traits can segregate independently during gamete formation is defined by the principle of independent assortment. This principle was established by Gregor Mendel through his experiments with pea plants. Mendel observed that when he crossed plants that differed in two traits, the inheritance of one trait did not influence the inheritance of the other. This means that alleles for separate traits are passed on independently, allowing for a variety of potential combinations in the offspring.

In contrast, the law of segregation describes how alleles separate from each other during the formation of gametes, ensuring that each gamete carries only one allele for each trait. Codominance refers to a genetic scenario in which both alleles in a heterozygote are fully expressed, and dominance describes a situation where one allele masks the effect of another. These concepts, while important in genetics, do not pertain to the independent behavior of different traits during gamete formation, which is exclusively explained by the principle of independent assortment.