Final answer:
Independent assortment occurs during meiosis-I in eukaryotic organisms to produce gametes with a mixture of the organism's maternal and paternal chromosomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Independent assortment of chromosomes occurs during meiosis-I in eukaryotic organisms, specifically anaphase-I of meiosis, to produce a gamete with a mixture of the organism's maternal and paternal chromosomes. Along with chromosomal cross-over, this process aids in increasing genetic diversity by producing novel genetic combinations.