Which of the following statements correctly explains the fact that all seven of the pea plant traits studied by Mendel obeyed the principle of independent assortment?
A) None of the traits obeyed the law of segregation.
B) The diploid number of chromosomes in the pea plants was seven.
C) All of the genes controlling the traits were located on the same chromosome.
D) All of the genes controlling the traits behaved as if they were on different chromosomes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The principle of independent assortment states that different genes are inherited independently of each other. This can only occur if the genes controlling the traits are located on different chromosomes or are far enough apart on the same chromosome to behave as if they were on different chromosomes. Since all seven pea plant traits studied by Mendel obeyed the principle of independent assortment, it suggests that the genes controlling these traits were behaving as if they were on different chromosomes. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer.

Which of the Following Statements Correctly Explains the Fact That