Question

Two traits segregate independently and follow the rules for independent assortment. This indicates that these traits are
A. Found on separate chromosomes
B. Located close together on the same chromosome
C. Inherited together more often than is typical
D. Evolutionary is favourable for the organism.

Answer 1

Hint: Traits refers to characteristics inherited by offsprings from parents. During the production of gametes, traits are separated independently. Gregor Johann Mendel was a scientist who was born in a German-speaking family. He is known as the founder of the modern science of genetics.

Complete answer: Mendel selected the pea plant for his experiment and considered seven characteristics of pea plants. The seven characteristics are flower position and colour, pod shape and colour, plant height, and seed shape and colour. The experiment performed by Mendel made him come to the conclusion of three laws of inheritance. They were the ‘Law of dominance’ and Uniformity, ‘Law of Segregation’ and ‘Law of Independent Assortment’. ‘Law of dominance’ and uniformity states that some alleles are dominant while others are recessive; if the organism contains at least one dominant allele then it will display the effect of the dominant allele. ‘Law of segregation’ states that during the formation of gamete the alleles present in each gene segregate so that it can form gamete which carries only one allele for each gene. ‘Law of Independent Assortment’ states that during the formation of gametes genes of different traits can separate independently. Thus, the gamete formed contains one allele of that trait. Therefore, the law of independent assortment indicates that the traits are found on separate chromosomes.
So, option A is the correct answer.

Note: Mendel conducted the monohybrid cross and dihybrid cross to know that phenotype and genotype of the progeny. To explain this, he coined the terms “dominant” and “recessive”. The phenotype of progeny F1 produced in monohybrid cross is always in the ratio of 3:1. The phenotype of progeny F1 produced in the dihybrid cross is always in the ratio of 9:3:3:1. The phenotype refers to the external appearance of an organism depending upon the genotype.