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Multiple Choice
Which statement best describes the principle of independent assortment as it relates to the inheritance of genes on different chromosomes?
A
Independent assortment only applies to genes that are identical.
B
All alleles on the same chromosome are always inherited together.
C
Genes located close together on the same chromosome assort independently.
D
Alleles of different genes are distributed to gametes independently of one another during meiosis.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the principle of independent assortment refers to how different genes are inherited during the formation of gametes in meiosis.
Recall that genes located on different chromosomes are inherited independently because chromosomes segregate randomly during meiosis I.
Recognize that this principle means the alleles of one gene do not influence the alleles of another gene when they are on different chromosomes.
Note that genes located close together on the same chromosome tend to be inherited together due to genetic linkage, so they do not assort independently.
Conclude that the correct description of independent assortment is that alleles of different genes are distributed to gametes independently of one another during meiosis.