The individual with genotype AaBbCCDdEE can make many kinds of gametes. Which of the following correctly describes why this situation is possible?
A) Recurrent mutations form new alleles.
B) Crossing over during prophase I leads to genetic variety.
C) Different possible assortment of chromosomes into gametes occurs.
D) There is a tendency for dominant alleles to segregate together.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The assortment of chromosomes during meiosis I and II can lead to the creation of many different gametes with varied combinations of alleles. This is called independent assortment and is the reason why individuals with multiple heterozygous traits can produce a large number of different gametes. A and D are not correct as they do not accurately explain the mechanism leading to the production of many different gametes, and B is not the best choice as it specifically mentions crossing over during prophase I, which is only one aspect of independent assortment.

The Individual with Genotype AaBbCCDdEE Can Make Many Kinds of Gametes