Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

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Prepare for the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations to succeed in your certification.

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What does the law of segregation state about alleles?

  1. Both alleles are expressed in the offspring

  2. Only one allele from each parent is passed on

  3. Alleles blend together

  4. Dominant alleles are always preferentially expressed

The correct answer is: Only one allele from each parent is passed on

The law of segregation, formulated by Gregor Mendel, states that during the formation of gametes, the two alleles responsible for a trait separate from each other. This means that each gamete will carry only one allele for each gene. When fertilization occurs, the offspring will inherit one allele from each parent, resulting in a combination of alleles. This principle is foundational in understanding how traits are inherited and explains why only one allele from each parent is represented in the offspring. The other choices describe different inheritance patterns or concepts that do not align with the law of segregation. The blending of alleles or preferential expression of dominant alleles falls under different genetic principles, such as incomplete dominance or dominance relationships, while the expression of both alleles would suggest codominance, which does not reflect the concept of segregation according to Mendelian genetics.