Question

do you have siblings? you may have similar traits, but you are also very different. we exhibit genetic variation, even in the same family, thanks to sexual reproduction. during sexual reproduction gametes are produced through the process of meiosis. gametes, egg or sperm, are haploid cells. the 46 chromosomes our body cells contain are reduced so when egg or sperm are produced, there are 23 chromosomes each. in any family, with the same parents, those 23 chromosomes vary every time a gamete is produced, except in the case of identical twins. look at the diagram of meiosis. when the process is complete, each haploid gamete contains a variation of the original diploid cell.
during meiosis chromosomes move randomly to separate poles. a human gamete will end up with 23 chromosomes after meiosis, but ______ assures that each gamete will have one of many different combinations of chromosomes.
a law of dominance
b meiotic divisions
c reduction division
d independent assortment

Explanation:

The question asks for the process that ensures gametes have different chromosome combinations. Independent assortment refers to the random alignment and separation of homologous chromosomes during meiosis, leading to varied genetic combinations in gametes. Other options: Law of dominance relates to trait expression, meiotic/reduction divisions focus on chromosome number reduction, not variation.

Answer:

D. independent assortment