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Which of the following situations does follow the Law of Independent Assortment?

a) Linked genes
b) Alleles on different chromosomes
c) Alleles on the same chromosome
d) Gene interaction

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Alleles on different chromosomes follow the Law of Independent Assortment. Therefore, the correct answer is option b).

Step-by-step explanation:

The situation that follows the Law of Independent Assortment is b) alleles on different chromosomes. According to this law, alleles of different genes assort independently of one another during gamete formation. This is due to the way chromosomes, which carry genes, line up independently of each other during meiosis, ensuring that each gamete contains a random mix of maternal and paternal chromosomes.

Therefore, genes on separate, non-homologous chromosomes will sort independently. However, linked genes located on the same chromosome do not typically follow this law because they are physically close to each other and tend to be inherited together.

Nonetheless, if recombination or crossing over occurs between linked genes, they can behave as if they are not linked, which approximates independent assortment. In conclusion, the presence of genes on separate chromosomes is what allows them to segregate independently, the core tenet of Mendel's law.

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