What does the law of independent assortment state regarding genes?

The law of independent assortment states that genes located on different chromosomes are inherited independently of one another when gametes are formed. This means that the alleles for one gene segregate into gametes without affecting the segregation of alleles for another gene. This principle is essential in understanding genetic diversity, as it allows for the combination of traits in offspring that can arise from various parental allele combinations, leading to different phenotypes.

This law applies particularly to genes that are located on different chromosomes or those that are far apart on the same chromosome. During meiosis, the process that generates gametes (sperm and eggs), the alignment and separation of homologous chromosomes occur randomly, allowing for different combinations of alleles to be packaged into gametes. As a result, offspring may inherit traits that can vary widely from those of their parents.

Understanding this independent assortment helps explain patterns of inheritance observed in dihybrid crosses, for example, where two traits are examined simultaneously. In such crosses, the phenotypic ratios observed in the offspring demonstrate how traits can assort independently of one another.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the principle of independent assortment. The incorrect statements may imply that all genes are inherited together or only through dominant expressions, which contradicts the underlying genetic