Question

Explain the Mendel's Law of Segregation.

Hint:

Remember: The Law of Segregation ensures purity of gametes, as each gamete carries only one allele of a gene.

Answer 1

Mendel's Law of Segregation, also known as the First Law of Inheritance, states that: \[ \text{"During the formation of gametes, the two alleles for a trait separate (segregate) so that each gamete receives only one allele."} \]

Step 1: Explanation. - Each individual has two alleles for a trait (one from each parent). - During gamete formation (meiosis), these alleles segregate randomly. - Hence, each gamete carries only one allele for the given trait. - Fertilization restores the pair of alleles in the offspring.

Step 2: Example (Monohybrid Cross). Consider Mendel's experiment with pea plants: - Cross between a homozygous tall plant (TT) and a homozygous dwarf plant (tt). - F$_{1}$ generation: All plants are heterozygous (Tt), showing tallness. - F$_{2}$ generation (selfing of Tt): The ratio obtained is \[ \text{Genotypic ratio: } 1 \; TT : 2 \; Tt : 1 \; tt \] \[ \text{Phenotypic ratio: } 3 \; Tall : 1 \; Dwarf \] This shows that alleles separate during gamete formation and recombine at fertilization.

Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{Mendel's Law of Segregation states that alleles separate during gamete formation, and each gamete receives only one allele.}} \]