Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

What does the law of independent assortment state regarding gene inheritance?

1. Genes for different traits are inherited together

2. Gene pairs segregate independently during gamete formation

3. Only one trait is passed from each parent

4. All traits display codominance

The correct answer is: Gene pairs segregate independently during gamete formation

The law of independent assortment, formulated by Gregor Mendel, states that the alleles for different genes assort independently of one another when gametes are formed. This means that the segregation of one pair of alleles during gamete formation does not affect the segregation of another pair of alleles. As a result, the inheritance of one trait does not influence the inheritance of another trait. This principle applies only to those genes that are located on different chromosomes or are far apart on the same chromosome. In the context of this question, the correct response emphasizes the independence of segregation for different gene pairs, which is why it accurately reflects the law of independent assortment. The other choices misrepresent how traits are inherited; for example, the first option suggests that different traits are inherited together, whereas, according to this law, they can segregate independently. The third option focuses on the inheritance of only one trait, and the last option mentions codominance, which pertains to the expression of alleles rather than their inheritance patterns.