Question

1. the law of independent assortment states that:

a. allele pairs do not separate independently of each other during meiosis.
b. allele pairs do separate independently of each other during meiosis.
c. allele pairs do not separate independently of each other during mitosis.
d. allele pairs do separate independently of each other during mitosis.

1. colorblindness is a sex linked recessive disorder found on the x chromosome in humans. if a man who is colorblind ($x^{a}y$) and a woman who is a carrier for colorblindness ($x^{a}x^{a}$) have a child, what is the probability that the child will be male and colorblind?

a. 100%
b. 50%
c. 25%
d. 0%

Explanation:

Step1: Recall law of independent assortment

The law of independent assortment states that allele pairs separate independently of each other during meiosis. Mitosis is not related to this law.

Step2: Analyze color - blindness inheritance

The man is $X^aY$ and the woman is $X^AX^a$. The possible genotypes of their children are: $X^AX^a$, $X^aX^a$, $X^AY$, $X^aY$.
The probability of having a male child is $\frac{1}{2}$, and the probability of a male child being color - blind ($X^aY$) among male children is $\frac{1}{2}$. So the probability of having a male and color - blind child is $\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{4}=25\%$.

Answer:

1. B. Allele pairs do separate independently of each other during meiosis.
2. C. 25%