Biology Forums - Study Force

It seems like an easy question, but I am not quite about the answer. I understand that there are many genes on one single chromosome and to maintain diversity,crossing over occurs. But independent assortment I do not understand it well. Why do genes independently assort? because of the orientation of chromosomes at the metaphase plate? I would like to know the main reason why they assort indep. thank you.

You should read up on the Law of Independent Assortment, which states:

• For two genes on a different chromosome, the inheritance of one doesn't affect inheriting another.
• and that the genes independently assort because they are packed into gametes at random.

Genes assort independently because they're on different chromosomes or far apart on the same chromosome. Generally speaking, genes on the same chromosome are completely linked and no independent assortment occurs, while genes on the same chromosome are incompletely linked.