The law of independent assortment states that D) genes segregate independently during gamete formation. This principle, proposed by Gregor Mendel, indicates that the inheritance of one trait will not affect the inheritance of another trait, provided that the genes for those traits are located on different chromosomes or are far apart on the same chromosome. This means that the alleles for different genes assort into gametes independently of one another during meiosis.
To clarify the other options:
- A) One gene affects the segregation of another gene during gamete formation is not correct as it describes a situation where genes are linked or interact, which violates the independent assortment principle.
- B) One gene affects the expression of another gene during gamete formation implies gene interaction or epistasis, which is also not what independent assortment addresses.
- C) Genes are combined to form new genes during gamete formation is misleading, as independent assortment refers to the segregation of existing alleles, not the combination of genes into new ones.
Thus, the correct and concise definition is that genes segregate independently during gamete formation.
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