Chapter 24, Problem 16STP

Summary Introduction

To write:

Why Mendel's law of segregation only apply to organisms that reproduce sexuallyy.

Introduction:

All organisms undergo reproduction to ensure the continuity of their generation. Reproduction can be either sexual or asexual. In asexual reproduction, the fusion of gametes do not take place. Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of male and female gametes to produce their offspring.

Explanation of Solution

In asexual reproduction, only a single parent is involved in reproduction. The offspring has the same number of chromosomes as the parent and is therefore genetically identical to the parent. In sexual reproduction, gametes are produced during meiosis which occurs in the reproductive structures. Four gametes with four different combinations of chromosomes can occur depending on how the chromosomes line up at the equator. Genetic variation is also produced when the gametes randomly combine when crossing over or during fertilization. Mendel's law of segregation states that the two alleles for each phenotype segregate or separate during the formation of gametes and that the alleles will combine randomly with other alleles during zygote formation. Thus, segregation increases variation within a species.

Conclusion

Segregation provides genetic variation in organisms. The daughter cells produced during meiosis are not identical.