Answer:
8
Step-by-step explanation:
The law of independent assortment of genes as proposed by Gregor Mendel states that the alleles of a gene will separate into gametes independently of the alleles of another. This means that during the metaphase stage of meiosis I, line up randomly at the metaphase plate of the cell in order to be separated independently.
According to the question, a mosquito has 6 chromosomes in its somatic cells. This means that 2n (diploid) = 6 Chromosomes. Hence, after meiosis, its gametes (n) will contain 3 chromosomes each. To find the number of different combinations of chromosomes possible in the mosquito’s gametes, we use 2^n where n represents the number of haploid chromosomes.
Hence, if 3 chromosomes are possible in a mosquito's gametes, 2^3 = 8 different combinations of chromosomes are possible in the gametes as a result of random orientation during the metaphase of meiosis.