What aspect of chromosome behaviour most clearly accounts for Mendel's law of independent assortment?
A) Movement of sister chromatids to opposite poles at anaphase II of meiosis
B) Movement of homologous chromosomes to opposite poles at anaphase I of meiosis
C) Crossing-over between homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis
D) Replication of chromosomes prior to meiosis
E) Independent alignment of different homologous pairs on the metaphase I spindle

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The independent alignment of different homologous pairs on the metaphase I spindle allows for the separation of each homologous pair into daughter cells independently of any other pair. This accounts for Mendel's law of independent assortment, which states that alleles for different characteristics are inherited independently of each other.

What Aspect of Chromosome Behaviour Most Clearly Accounts for Mendel's