Independent segregation of homologous chromosomes

• During meiosis 1, each chromosome lines up alongside its homologous partner

  • In humans, this means that there will be 23 homologous pairs of chromosomes lying side by side
• When homologous pairs arrange themselves in a line they do so at random

  • One of each pair will pass to each daughter cell
  • Since the pairs are lined up at random, the combination of chromosomes of maternal and paternal origin that go into the daughter cell at meiosis 1 is also a matter of chance
• In humans there are 23 pairs of chromosomes, and these are randomly assorted into each side of the cell during meiosis 1

  • This means that alleles on separate chromosomes are independently assorted from each other, and different combinations of alleles are present in each gamete
• Independent segregation - Describes how different genes independently separate from one another when reproductive cells develop

  • During meiosis, the pairs of homologous chromosomes are divided in half to form haploid cells, and this separation of homologous chromosomes is random