What does the law of independent assortment state?

The law of independent assortment, formulated by Gregor Mendel, states that alleles of different genes segregate independently during the formation of gametes. This means that the inheritance of one trait will not affect the inheritance of another trait, as long as the genes are located on different chromosomes or far apart on the same chromosome. This principle is integral to understanding how traits are passed from one generation to the next, as it allows for the combination of alleles in various ways, contributing to genetic diversity.

The focus on the independence of allele segregation is foundational in genetics, particularly in predicting the outcome of genetic crosses. This principle explains why a plant that is tall (dominant) can produce offspring that are both tall and short if it carries the allele for shortness (recessive) independently of other traits it may carry.

In contrast, the other options emphasize different aspects of inheritance. The idea that genes are inherited together suggests linkage, which contradicts the law of independent assortment. The statement that all genes are expressed equally does not pertain to the mechanisms of inheritance but rather to gene expression and regulation. Lastly, the claim that only dominant traits are inherited is misleading, as both dominant and recessive traits can be passed on to the next generation.