Mendel claimed that transmission from parent to offspring of alleles of a given gene is independent for each gene and its alleles. What does this mean?
A) If a parent has the genotype Aa for one gene and aB for another gene, the a allele is more likely to be passed on because it corresponds to a dominant allele on another gene.
B) Dominant alleles in different loci are organized to enhance their likelihood of being passed on, a process called codominance.
C) Dominant alleles act independently of recessive alleles.
D) With the exception of genes on the same chromosome, the probability of transmission of a gene is unrelated to the transmission of other alleles on different genes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mendel's law of independent assortment states that the transmission of one gene from parent to offspring is independent of the transmission of another gene from parent to offspring, unless the genes are located on the same chromosome. Therefore, the probability of transmission of a gene is unrelated to the transmission of other alleles on different genes. Choice A is incorrect because the transmission of a gene is not influenced by the presence of a dominant allele on another gene. Choice B is incorrect because codominance refers to the expression of both alleles in a heterozygous individual and does not relate to the transmission of alleles from parent to offspring. Choice C is incorrect because dominant alleles can still be affected by the presence of recessive alleles on the same gene.

Mendel Claimed That Transmission from Parent to Offspring of Alleles