Question

which statement summarizes the law of segregation?
○ gametes are passed in pairs, groups, or sets.
○ traits that are dominant mask traits that are recessive.
○ gametes carry one allele for each trait.
○ traits are passed independently of one another.

Explanation:

The law of segregation (Mendel's first law) states that during gamete formation, the two alleles of a gene segregate so that each gamete carries only one allele for each trait. Let's analyze the options:

• The first option is incorrect because gametes do not pass alleles in pairs/groups/sets; they have one allele per trait.
• The second option describes the law of dominance, not segregation.
• The third option matches the law of segregation: gametes carry one allele for each trait.
• The fourth option describes the law of independent assortment, not segregation.

Answer:

C. Gametes carry one allele for each trait.