Question

How does independent assortment during Metaphase 1 help produce diversity in gametes (eggs and sperm)?

Answer 1

Answer:

a. There are different possible ways that homologous pairs might line up

c. Different alignments of homologous pairs will cause different combinations of alleles in gametes.

Explanation:

The law of independent assortment, proposed by Mendel, states that the alleles of one gene segregate into gametes independently of the alleles of another gene. This means that the segregation of one gene does not affect another. This law of independent assortment is evident during gamete formation in sexually-reproducing organisms know as meiosis. Specifically, in the Metaphase 1 stage of meiosis 1, homologous chromosomes (similar but non-identical chromosomes received from each parent) lines up at the metaphase plate (cell equator).

The lining up of chromosomes in this stage occurs randomly making it possible for chromosomes to align in different possible ways. The way/manner the chromosomes align at the equator determines which chromosome combination gets separated into which gamete. The homologous chromosomes are randomly distributed at the cell's equator before segregates into gametes. This random orientation enables the alleles of each gene on a chromosome to combine in different random ways, hence, allowing genetic diversity in the resulting gametes (sperm and egg) they get segregated into.