Question

how would meiosis differ without independent assortment?
□ each gamete would have a random combination of maternal and paternal chromosomes.
□ recombination would not occur because homologous chromosomes would not pair.
□ gametes would have all maternal chromosomes or all paternal chromosomes.
□ no genetic diversity among gametes would be generated during meiosis.
□ the genetic diversity generated by meiosis would be limited to recombination.

Explanation:

• Option C: Independent assortment allows for a mix of maternal and paternal chromosomes in gametes. Without it, gametes would be more likely to have all - maternal or all - paternal chromosomes.
• Option E: Independent assortment is a major source of genetic diversity in meiosis. If it were absent, the genetic diversity would mainly come from recombination (crossing - over), which is a more limited form of diversity compared to the combined effect of recombination and independent assortment.

• Option A: This is what happens with independent assortment, not without it.
• Option B: Recombination (crossing - over) occurs during prophase I when homologous chromosomes pair, which is a separate process from independent assortment (which occurs during metaphase I).
• Option D: Even without independent assortment, recombination (crossing - over) still generates some genetic diversity among gametes.

Answer:

C. Gametes would have all maternal chromosomes or all paternal chromosomes.
E. The genetic diversity generated by meiosis would be limited to recombination.