The random assortment of chromosomes during meiosis:
This concept describes the independent separation of genes during the development of reproductive cells. Each person possesses two genes for each characteristic. During gametogenesis, these pairs separate so that each gamete only contains one set of genes. When the sperm and the egg unite at fertilization, the cell created is genetically different from each parent because it inherits traits from both of them. This is because each cell has two sets of chromosomes - one from the paternal side and one from the maternal side. In the body, these chromosomes exist as a homologous pair and thus control the same characteristics. However, during the first meiotic division, these homologous pairs of chromosomes separate randomly. The chromosomes then move to opposite poles of the cell, resulting in half the number of original genetic material at each pole. It is important to note that when the chromosomes separate, they do so independently, and the way that one pair of chromosomes separate does not affect nor is it affected in any way by the way that other pairs of chromosomes separate. In the same way, the copy that the cell receives does not influence in any way which of the two copies of the other chromosomes it will receive.