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Biology / Unit 5   Bio 1057 short lesson, about 20 seconds

The Physical Basis of Independent Assortment in Meiosis I

Captions available

The idea

Independent assortment's physical basis is the random orientation of different tetrads at metaphase I, since each pair orients toward the poles independently of every other.

In practice

A cell with two chromosome pairs can orient them two distinct ways at metaphase I, producing all four possible gamete combinations.

Where people slip

This law applies chromosome by chromosome — loci sharing one do not assort independently.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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