23. Describe Mendel's 2^nd law (law of independent assortment).

Mendel's **Second Law**, also known as the **Law of Independent Assortment**, states that:**"The alleles of different genes assort independently of one another during the formation of gametes."**### Explanation:1. **Independent Inheritance of Traits**: This law explains how different traits (controlled by different genes) are inherited independently of each other. For example, the inheritance of seed shape (round or wrinkled) does not affect the inheritance of seed color (yellow or green).2. **Mechanism**: During meiosis, homologous chromosomes segregate randomly into gametes. If the genes for two traits are located on different chromosomes, their alleles will assort independently because the orientation of one chromosome pair does not influence the orientation of another.3. **Dihybrid Cross Example**: - Mendel demonstrated this law using a dihybrid cross between pea plants with two traits: seed shape (round vs. wrinkled) and seed color (yellow vs. green). - Parental generation: RRYY (round yellow) × rryy (wrinkled green) - F₁ generation: All offspring were RrYy (round yellow). - F₂ generation: When F₁ plants were self-crossed, the offspring showed a phenotypic ratio of **9:3:3:1**: - 9 round yellow - 3 round green - 3 wrinkled yellow - 1 wrinkled green4. **Conditions**: - The law applies only if the genes are located on **different chromosomes** or are far apart on the same chromosome (allowing for recombination). If the genes are closely linked on the same chromosome, they may not assort independently.### Importance:Mendel's Law of Independent Assortment is fundamental to understanding genetic variation and inheritance patterns. It explains how combinations of traits can appear in offspring, contributing to genetic diversity in sexually reproducing organisms.