What does the Law of Segregation state?

• A. Only dominant alleles are transmitted
• B. Genes are located on chromosomes
• C. Two alleles for a gene separate during gamete formation so that each gamete carries only one allele
• D. Alleles are inherited as a unit

Answer: (C)

In the Law of Segregation, the two alleles for a gene separate during gamete formation, so each gamete carries only one allele. This means a parent who is heterozygous (Aa) can pass either A or a to offspring, and fertilization combines one allele from each parent to restore the pair in the new organism. A helpful way to see this is through meiosis: the two copies of the gene segregate into different gametes, ensuring genetic variation when sperm and egg fuse. For example, a plant with Aa can produce pollen carrying either A or a, leading to offspring that can be AA, Aa, or aa depending on the combination. The other statements don’t fit this idea: only dominant alleles are transmitted isn’t true because recessive alleles can also be passed on; the placement of genes on chromosomes reflects chromosomal theory rather than the segregation event itself; and saying alleles are inherited as a unit suggests they don’t separate, which contradicts the law.