Questions Mendel’s Second Law – Law of Independent Assortment
20 multiple-choice questions about Mendel’s Second Law: Law of Independent Assortment, each with five alternatives, followed by the answers at the end.
Multiple-Choice Questions: Mendel’s Second Law – Law of Independent Assortment
1. What does Mendel’s Law of Independent Assortment state?
A) Alleles segregate during gamete formation
B) Different gene pairs assort independently during gamete formation
C) Genes blend to form intermediate traits
D) Traits are inherited only from one parent
E) All genes are inherited together
2. Which process explains the physical basis for the Law of Independent Assortment?
A) DNA replication
B) Crossing over during meiosis
C) Independent alignment of homologous chromosomes during metaphase I
D) Fertilization
E) Cytokinesis
3. Mendel’s second law applies to genes located:
A) On the same chromosome, close together
B) On different chromosomes or far apart on the same chromosome
C) Only on sex chromosomes
D) Only in dominant alleles
E) In mitochondrial DNA
4. Which of the following is an example of independent assortment?
A) The inheritance of seed color is linked to seed shape inheritance
B) The inheritance of seed color is independent of seed shape
C) Only dominant traits are inherited
D) Traits blend in offspring
E) All offspring are identical
5. Independent assortment results in:
A) Reduced genetic variation
B) New combinations of alleles in offspring
C) Inheritance of only dominant traits
D) Only homozygous offspring
E) No genetic recombination
6. What type of cross is used to demonstrate the Law of Independent Assortment?
A) Monohybrid cross
B) Dihybrid cross
C) Test cross
D) Back cross
E) Self-cross
7. In a dihybrid cross, the expected phenotypic ratio under independent assortment is:
A) 3:1
B) 9:3:3:1
C) 1:1:1:1
D) 2:1
E) 4:0
8. If genes are linked, what effect does this have on independent assortment?
A) No effect; they assort independently
B) Linked genes do not assort independently
C) Linked genes always produce 9:3:3:1 ratio
D) Genes are lost during meiosis
E) Linked genes blend traits
9. Which phase of meiosis is critical for independent assortment to occur?
A) Prophase I
B) Metaphase I
C) Anaphase II
D) Telophase I
E) Interphase
10. What would be the genotypic ratio of offspring from a dihybrid cross of two heterozygous parents (AaBb × AaBb) assuming independent assortment?
A) 1:2:1
B) 9:3:3:1
C) 1:1:1:1
D) 3:1
E) 4:0
11. Which of these is NOT a principle derived from Mendel’s Law of Independent Assortment?
A) Each pair of alleles segregates independently
B) Traits are inherited as discrete units
C) Different traits are passed on independently of each other
D) All traits blend evenly in offspring
E) Alleles for one trait do not influence alleles for another trait
12. Independent assortment contributes to:
A) Cloning of identical organisms
B) Genetic variation in sexually reproducing organisms
C) Loss of traits over generations
D) Mutation of DNA
E) Fusion of gametes
13. Which of the following would violate the Law of Independent Assortment?
A) Two genes located on different chromosomes
B) Genes undergoing crossing over
C) Genes located very close together on the same chromosome
D) Independent alignment of chromosomes
E) Random fertilization
14. How many different types of gametes can an individual with genotype AaBb produce if the genes assort independently?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
E) 8
15. In humans, which of the following would most likely follow independent assortment?
A) Hair color and height (genes on different chromosomes)
B) Genes on the same chromosome close together
C) Genes for eye color only
D) All genes on sex chromosomes
E) None of the above
16. If a plant is heterozygous for two traits (RrYy), what are the possible gamete genotypes?
A) RY, Ry, rY, ry
B) RR, YY, rr, yy
C) Rr, Yy
D) RY only
E) Ry only
17. Mendel’s law of independent assortment was formulated after:
A) Observing patterns in monohybrid crosses
B) Observing patterns in dihybrid crosses
C) Studying DNA sequences
D) Studying mutation rates
E) Investigating bacterial conjugation
18. Which term best describes genes that do NOT assort independently?
A) Dominant
B) Recessive
C) Linked
D) Heterozygous
E) Homozygous
19. What is the significance of independent assortment in evolution?
A) It causes species to become identical
B) It increases genetic diversity, aiding adaptation
C) It stops natural selection
D) It decreases mutation rates
E) It fixes alleles in populations
20. Which outcome would support independent assortment in a genetic experiment?
A) All offspring have the same phenotype
B) A 9:3:3:1 phenotypic ratio in a dihybrid cross
C) Only one trait is inherited
D) Traits are linked and inherited together
E) No variation in offspring
- Questions on Mendel’s First Law – Law of Segregation
- Questions on Life Cycle
- Questions on Genetic Variation
Answer Key
1. B
2. C
3. B
4. B
5. B
6. B
7. B
8. B
9. B
10. B
11. D
12. B
13. C
14. D
15. A
16. A
17. B
18. C
19. B
20. B
Dive into the groundbreaking science of neurotransmitters—your brain’s invisible architects—in Chemical Harmony: How Neurotransmitters Shape Our Lives (2025). This meticulously researched book reveals how serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and other brain chemicals silently orchestrate every aspect of your existence, from decision-making and relationships to mental health and emotional resilience.Click here to buy
👉 +3000 Biology Questions with Answers Key.
Share Online!
