Final answer:
Mendel's law of segregation explains how alleles for a single gene segregate into gametes during meiosis, while his law of independent assortment describes how two or more genes sort their alleles into gametes independently unless they are linked on the same chromosome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Mendel's Laws Through Meiosis
Gregor Mendel's pioneering work in genetics was grounded in his observation of pea plant traits over several generations. His conclusions, now known as Mendel's laws of inheritance, include the law of segregation and the law of independent assortment.
Law of Segregation
During meiosis, alleles (different versions of a gene) separate so that each gamete (egg or sperm) carries only one allele for each gene. This is Mendel's law of segregation. For instance, in a monohybrid cross, which examines a single trait, the segregation of alleles results in a 3:1 phenotype ratio in the F₂ generation, aligning with Mendel's observations.
Law of Independent Assortment
Mendel's law of independent assortment states that the distribution of alleles for one gene is independent of the distribution of alleles for another gene. This law is evident in a dihybrid cross where two traits are considered, and both traits sort independently into gametes. The result is a variety of genetic combinations in the offspring.
Test Cross purposes and methods involve breeding an individual showing the dominant phenotype (but unknown genotype) with an individual that is homozygous recessive for the same traits. This allows determination of the unknown genotype based on the offspring's phenotypes.