Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance

Understanding Independent Assortment

Genetics

3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance

Understanding Independent Assortment

Previous problemNext problem

Struggling with Genetics?

Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the principle of independent assortment in genetics?

Alleles for a gene pair separate during the formation of gametes, so that each gamete receives only one allele.

The segregation of alleles for one gene occurs independently of the segregation of alleles for another gene during gamete formation.

Genes are always inherited in fixed combinations determined by their physical proximity on a chromosome.

Each gene is inherited together with all other genes located on the same chromosome.

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that the principle of independent assortment is one of Mendel's key laws of inheritance, which explains how different genes independently separate from one another when reproductive cells develop.

Recall that during meiosis, homologous chromosomes are separated into different gametes, and this separation happens independently for each chromosome pair.

Recognize that this means the alleles of one gene segregate into gametes independently of the alleles of another gene, provided the genes are on different chromosomes or far apart on the same chromosome.

Note that this principle contrasts with the idea that genes are always inherited together, which is only true for genes that are very close to each other on the same chromosome (linked genes).

Therefore, the best description of independent assortment is that the segregation of alleles for one gene occurs independently of the segregation of alleles for another gene during gamete formation.