Question

Mendel’s Law of independent assortment holds good for genes situated on the:

• A. homologous chromosomes
  
• B. non-homologous chromosomes
  
• C. same chromosome
• D. extranuclear genetic element
  

Answer 1

The correct option is B non-homologous chromosomes


Mendel’s Law of independent assortment :

Law of independent assortment states that when two pairs of traits (two characters) are combined in a hybrid, segregation of one character is independent of the other character.

Homologous chromosomes :

Homologous chromosomes refer to a pair of chromosomes, each derived from one parent, carrying alleles of the same gene at similar loci. For example, maternal and paternal copy of chromosome 1 in the offspring.

Non-homologous chromosomes :

Non-homologous chromosomes are chromosomes that do not belong to the same pair and carry alleles of different genes on them. For example, chromosome number 1 and 2. Independent assortment of two genes controlling two characters is possible if those are located on different chromosomes, in other words, non-homologous chromosomes.

Extranuclear genetic element :

Extranuclear genetic element is the genetic material found outside the nucleus. It is found in most eukaryotes in cytoplasmic organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts.

Final answer :

a.) non-homologous chromosomes