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During which processes does independent assortment of chromosomes occur?

User Vcsjones
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Final answer:

Independent assortment occurs during anaphase I of meiosis I and to some extent during metaphase II and anaphase II, leading to the formation of gametes with diverse combinations of paternal and maternal chromosomes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Independent assortment of chromosomes occurs during meiosis, a critical process for producing genetically diverse gametes in eukaryotic organisms. Specifically, this event takes place during anaphase I of meiosis I, where bivalent chromosomes separate, and again, although indirectly, during metaphase II and anaphase II as sister chromatids segregate. During the phase of prophase I, chromosomes align randomly at the metaphase plate, setting the stage for the independent assortment. The physical basis for the law of independent assortment lies here, as different homologous pairs line up in random orientations, allowing any combination of paternal and maternal chromosomes to segregate into each gamete, thus increasing genetic variation.

Additionally, recombination or chromosomal cross-over during meiosis further increases genetic diversity by producing new combinations of alleles. At the end of meiosis II, four different gametic combinations are produced, each containing a haploid set of chromosomes. As the number of chromosomes increases, the number of possible assortment combinations increases dramatically, leading to a vast potential for genetic diversity.

User Andre Gallo
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Answer:

meiosis I

Step-by-step explanation:

Independent transmission is Mendel's second law. Like any Mendel law it is based or is about the transmission of alleles. Therefore, the law of independent transmission is based on the fact that when forming gametes, the alleles of one gene are segregated independently before the segregation of the alleles of another gene. This second law can not only be applied to the characters that Mendel analyzed, which were two genes with two possible alleles, this law is fulfilled with more than two characters. We must bear in mind that alleles are the different forms that a gene can present.

On the other hand we have the concept of meiosis I which is a type of cell division that in animals generally gives rise to gametes for sexual reproduction or sexual spores (in plants and fungi). That is to say in mitosis we find that there is only a cell division between homologous chromosomes, so that from a tetraploid number (4n) we pass to a diploid number (2n). While in meiosis we find that there are two cell divisions in which we go from a tetraploid number (4n) to a haploid number (n). This means that this is a reductive process. These haploid cells will join together to give rise to a diploid cell. Another important concept to consider in meiosis is the formation of chiasmas that are created between non-sister chromatids, thanks to this phenomenon the exchange of genetic material occurs.

User LeZuse
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