Final answer:
Mendel's law of independent assortment states that genes do not influence each other with regard to the sorting of alleles into gametes. It can be illustrated by a dihybrid cross, where the inheritance of one gene does not influence the chance of inheritance for the other gene.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mendel's law of independent assortment states that genes do not influence each other with regard to the sorting of alleles into gametes, and every possible combination of alleles for every gene is equally likely to occur. It can be illustrated by a dihybrid cross, which is a cross between two true-breeding parents that express different traits for two characteristics.
For example, in a cross between a pea plant with wrinkled, green seeds and a pea plant with round, yellow seeds, the F1 generation of offspring will have an equal chance of inheriting either the wrinkled or smooth seed trait, and either the green or yellow seed trait. This shows that the inheritance of one gene does not influence the chance of inheritance for the other gene.
Mendel's Law of Independent Assortment, a foundational principle in genetics, asserts that genes governing different traits segregate independently during gamete formation. Specifically, alleles for one gene don't impact the sorting of alleles for another gene. This concept is vividly demonstrated through dihybrid crosses, such as Mendel's experiment with pea plants exhibiting wrinkled/green and round/yellow seed traits. The F1 generation resulting from this cross displays an equal probability of inheriting either seed trait combination, highlighting that the inheritance of seed texture doesn't influence the inheritance of seed color, and vice versa. This law underscores the random assortment of alleles, promoting genetic diversity in offspring.