Which law explains that different pairs of alleles segregate independently during gamete formation?

The law that explains how different pairs of alleles segregate independently during the formation of gametes is known as the law of independent assortment. This principle, first articulated by Gregor Mendel through his experiments with dihybrid crosses, asserts that the alleles for different genes are distributed independently of one another when gametes are formed.

In essence, during meiosis, the distribution of one pair of alleles into gametes does not influence the distribution of another pair. For example, the inheritance of one trait, such as seed shape, does not affect the inheritance of a second trait, like seed color. This law applies when genes are located on different chromosomes or are far apart on the same chromosome, making independent assortment possible.

This concept is fundamental to understanding genetic variation in offspring, as it leads to a combination of traits that can vary considerably. In contrast, the other laws mentioned, such as the law of segregation, focus on how alleles of the same gene segregate during gamete formation, while the law of dominance addresses the relationship between dominant and recessive alleles, and the law of incomplete dominance describes a specific pattern of inheritance where a heterozygous phenotype is a blend of the two parents' phenotypes.