What does the Law of Independent Assortment state?

The Law of Independent Assortment states that during the formation of gametes, the alleles for different genes segregate independently of one another. This means that the members of homologous chromosome pairs separate randomly into gametes during meiosis. As a result, the inheritance of one trait generally does not affect the inheritance of another trait. This law is crucial for understanding genetic variation; for example, when a dihybrid cross is performed, the outcome of one trait will not influence the outcome of another trait, enabling a variety of combinations in the offspring.

This principle is foundational in genetics, demonstrated famously by Gregor Mendel's pea plant experiments, where he observed that seed shape and color segregated independently of one another, leading to diverse phenotypes in the progeny. This independent assorting contributes to genetic diversity within a population and is a key mechanism explaining how traits can be passed on to subsequent generations.