The Law of Segregation is one of Gregor Mendel’s fundamental laws of inheritance. It states that:
Each organism carries two alleles for every trait, and these alleles separate (segregate) during the formation of gametes (sex cells), so each gamete receives only one allele.
When fertilization occurs, the two alleles — one from each parent — combine again to form a new pair in the offspring.
In simple terms:
- Each trait is controlled by a pair of alleles (for example, R and r).
- During gamete formation (meiosis), these alleles separate.
- Each gamete gets only one allele — either R or r.
- When gametes unite during fertilization, the offspring gets one allele from each parent.
Example:
In pea plants, the trait for seed shape is determined by two alleles — R (round) and r (wrinkled).
- Parent plant (Rr) produces gametes with either R or r.
- When two gametes unite, they form combinations like RR, Rr, or rr, showing round or wrinkled seeds depending on the alleles.
Summary:
The Law of Segregation ensures that alleles separate during gamete formation and recombine at fertilization, maintaining genetic variation in offspring.