Question

Describe how the chromosomal and molecular events of meiosis can satisfactorily account for the law of segregation?

Describe the experiments that led to Mendel’s law of independent assortment?

Explain how the chromosomal and molecular events of meiosis can adequately account for the law of independent assortment?

Answer 1

1.) Law of segregation states that there is pair of alleles for a particular trait and each trait possess only one of allele to the offspring, randomly. In meiosis segregation occurs at 2 stages- In prophase 1 and prophase 2 of Meiosis.

In meiosis the homologous chromosomes after S phase replicate themselves and make sister chromatids, in the prophase 1 an event occurs called Synapsis, in this step crossing over between the homologous chromosomes occur. Segregation occurs here and result in the formation of two haploid daughter cells which have half the number of chromosomes as in the parent cell. Next segregation occurs at Prophase 2 of meiosis 2. At this stage sister chromatids separates. After the completion of meiosis the chromosomes separate into different gametes. When meiosis ends each gamete gets one of the two alleles and that's how it is passed to the next generation.