Final answer:
Mendel's principle of independent assortment states that genes do not influence each other with regard to the sorting of alleles into gametes. In a dihybrid cross, if independent assortment did not occur, genes for two different traits would be inherited together as a pair.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mendel's principle 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. The independent assortment of genes can be illustrated by a dihybrid cross, a cross between two true-breeding parents that express different traits for two characteristics. For example, if independent assortment did not occur, genes for two different traits would be inherited together as a pair