Question

Explain how corn can be used as an example of Mendel's law of independent assortment.

Answer 1

Each kernel of corn inherits traits independently.

Each kernel of corn receives one allele from each parent for the traits of color and texture.

Corn can have multiple kernel colors because each kernel is independently formed.

Answer 2

Mendel's law of independent assortment states that the gametes are separated and inherited independent of each other into the gametes.

The corn can be used to study the law if independent assortment as each kernel of the corn is its fruit. Thus, it is a result of sexual reproduction.

Single corn may contain 800-1000 kernels which may have different shape, texture, structure et cetera as result of independent assortment.

Example of kernel color is shown below.