Final answer:
An organism with 10 pairs of independent genes, such as the one described, can produce 1024 distinct gametes. This is determined by the principle of independent assortment in Mendelian genetics, calculated using the formula 2^n.
Step-by-step explanation:
This question involves Mendelian genetics, specifically the principle of independent assortment. In the case of the organism you mention with 10 pairs of independent genes, each gene can assort independently during meiosis, crossing over into gametes in any combination. The way to calculate the number of different gametes an organism can produce due to this independent assortment is to use the formula 2^n, where n equals the number of gene pairs. Here, with 10 pairs of genes (n=10), you would get 2^10, which equals 1024. Therefore, an organism with 10 pairs of independent genes can produce 1024 different types of gametes, with respect to gene content.
Learn more about Mendelian Genetics