What is the principle that states alleles for different traits separate independently during gamete formation?

The principle that states alleles for different traits separate independently during gamete formation is known as the Law of Independent Assortment. This law, formulated by Gregor Mendel based on his experiments with pea plants, articulates that the inheritance of one trait will not influence the inheritance of another trait, as long as the traits are located on separate chromosomes or are far apart on the same chromosome.

During the formation of gametes, the alleles for different traits segregate independently due to the random assortment of chromosomes during meiosis. This means that the distribution of one pair of alleles does not affect the distribution of another pair, leading to genetic variation in the offspring.

For example, if considering two traits such as seed color and seed shape in peas, the combination of alleles for these traits can occur in various ways independent of each other, resulting in a range of possible phenotypes. This principle is foundational to understanding genetic inheritance and helps explain why offspring can exhibit diverse traits from their parents.