law of segregation

American  

noun

Genetics.

1. the principle, originated by Gregor Mendel, stating that during the production of gametes the two copies of each hereditary factor segregate so that offspring acquire one factor from each parent.

---

law of segregation Scientific  

1. See under Mendel's law

---

Etymology

Origin of law of segregation

First recorded in 1940–45

Compare meaning

How does law-of-segregation compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• law of independent assortment vs. law of segregation
• law of segregation vs. independent assortment

Example Sentences

Because each parent is homozygous, the law of segregation indicates that the gametes for the green/wrinkled plant all are yr, and the gametes for the yellow/round plant are all YR.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

For the F2 generation, the law of segregation requires that each gamete receive either an R allele or an r allele along with either a Y allele or a y allele.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Because each parent is homozygous, the law of segregation indicates that the gametes for the wrinkled–green plant all are ry, and the gametes for the round–yellow plant are all RY.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

The physical basis of Mendel’s law of segregation is the first division of meiosis in which the homologous chromosomes with their different versions of each gene are segregated into daughter nuclei.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

This perfectly simple principle is known as the law of segregation, or the law of the purity of the germ cells.

From Catholic Churchmen in Science by Walsh, James J.