Question

According to Mendel's Principle of Segregation

a.) each allele pair separates independently of all other allele pairs.
b.) each individual has two separate alleles controlling each trait.
c.) heterozygous individuals have one dominant allele and one recessive allele.
d.) the two alleles at each gene locus separate during gamete formation.

Answer 1

Mendel's Principle of Segregation states that the two alleles for each gene separate during the formation of gametes, which is essential for predicting inheritance patterns and is the basis for the 3:1 phenotypic ratio observed by Mendel.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Mendel's Principle of Segregation, the correct answer is d.) the two alleles at each gene locus separate during gamete formation. This is a fundamental concept in genetics, which indicates that during the process of meiosis, the alleles (different versions of a gene) segregate, or separate, so that each parent's gametes (sperm or eggs) carry only one allele for each trait. These alleles then have an equal chance of combining with alleles from the other parent to form the genotype of the offspring. This segregation of alleles is essential to the understanding of inheritance patterns and how traits are passed from parents to offspring.

The Law of Segregation is a key principle discovered by Gregor Mendel through his experiments with pea plants and explains why we can use tools like the Punnett square to predict genotypic and phenotypic ratios. Essentially, this law is the physical basis for the equal segregation of alleles and underlies the observed 3:1 phenotypic ratio in the F2 generation of a monohybrid cross.