What does the law of segregation state regarding gamete formation?

The law of segregation, formulated by Gregor Mendel, states that during the formation of gametes (sperm and egg cells), each gamete receives one randomly selected gene copy from each pair of gene copies present in a parent organism. This means that an individual has two alleles for each gene, one inherited from each parent. When gametes are formed, these alleles segregate independently so that each gamete ends up with only one allele from each gene.

This law explains the concept of genetic variation and is a fundamental principle of inheritance. The randomness in which one copy is selected contributes to the diversity seen in the offspring. This principle is critical in understanding how traits are passed on and how genetic variability occurs in populations, which is essential for evolution.

The incorrect responses reflect misunderstandings about the segregation process. One option suggests that each gamete receives two gene copies from each parent, which contradicts the fundamental principle of segregation. Another option implies that all gene copies are passed on without selection, failing to acknowledge the randomness that defines gamete formation. Lastly, stating that gametes are formed with identical gene copies from each parent also misrepresents the nature of genetic variation introduced by Mendel's law.