this questions on my home work and it confussing... Explain If the Law of independent assortment would apply?

Question

if the genes for coat color and gait in horses were caried on the same chromosome. And how do genetic principles yield predictable results

Answer 1

Independent assortment occurs if the genes are unlinked. This means that either they are on separate chromosomes or are far enough apart on the same chromosome that they segregate independently during meiosis. In other words, the genes for coat color and gait can be on the same chromosome and segregate independently, they just have to be far enough apart.

The principles of genetics yield predictable results because they are based on extensive observations of heredity in many organisms.

Answer 2

If these genes are on the same chromosome, then they will NOT assort independently. That only works for genes on different chromosomes.

Without independent assortment, a parent that is AaBb would only produce gametes that are AB and ab. It's because the A and B are on the same chromosome and will get into a gamete together. Likewise, the a and b are on a different chromosome together and will get into a gamete together. (Note that crossing over during meiosis can change this, but that's probably not your teacher's intention to include crossing over at this point.)

Genetic principles are all about figuring out how genes are inherited. Therefore, applying the principles can help up predict results -- because we understand how it works.