Which statement describes independent assortment?

• A. All genes are linked on the same chromosome
• B. Genes for the same trait segregate together
• C. Genes for different traits assort independently during gamete formation
• D. Genes that never recombine during meiosis

Answer: (C)

Independent assortment means that alleles for different genes separate into gametes without influencing each other, typically because the genes are on different chromosomes. During meiosis, the random orientation of homologous chromosomes means maternal and paternal alleles for one gene assort into gametes independently of alleles for another gene. This is why the statement that genes for different traits assort independently during gamete formation best captures the concept. When genes are linked on the same chromosome, they tend to be inherited together unless crossing over occurs, so independence can be broken.