What does Mendel's second principle of genetics state?

Mendel's second principle of genetics, commonly known as the Law of Independent Assortment, states that traits are inherited independently of one another. This principle suggests that the inheritance of one trait will not affect the inheritance of another trait, as long as the genes controlling these traits are located on different chromosomes or are far apart on the same chromosome.

This principle was derived from Mendel's experiments with dihybrid crosses, where he observed that the segregation of one pair of alleles for a trait (such as seed shape) occurred independently of the segregation of another pair of alleles for a different trait (such as seed color). Consequently, this led to the conclusion that the mixing of genetic material during gamete formation results in a variety of combinations for offspring traits.

Understanding this principle is fundamental in genetics because it helps explain the diversity of traits observed in populations, reflecting how different characteristics can combine in a range of ways to form unique individuals.