[Campbell Biology P.346] According to Figure 15.4, the physical basis for Mendel's law of in... | Practice Question

According to Figure 15.4, the physical basis for Mendel's law of independent assortment is the...

  • A: Separation of homologous chromosomes during anaphase I.
  • B: Random arrangement of homologous chromosome pairs at metaphase I.
  • C: Separation of sister chromatids during anaphase II.
  • D: The random nature of fertilization.

Explanation

The diagram explicitly shows two equally probable arrangements of the homologous chromosome pairs at metaphase I. This random orientation is what leads to the independent assortment of alleles for genes on different chromosomes, resulting in four different types of gametes in equal proportions.