Fruit flies have eight pairs of chromosomes. Calculate the genetic possibilities from independent assortment of a zygote made from two fruit fly parents. Show your work and the formula you used to make your calculation.

To get to know the number of genetic possibilities for independent assortment of a zygote, we need to use the formula 2ⁿ, where n is the number of homologous pairs. In the exposed example,  2ⁿ = 256.

Gamete formation involves the random and independent segregation of the alleles.

During anaphase I (meiosis) occurs the independent separation of homologous chromosomes that migrate to opposite cell poles.

This separation generates different chromosomal combinations in the daughter cells.

There are two alternatives per homologous pair.

The number of gametes with different allele combinations is 2ⁿ, where  

n = number of homologous pairs.  

In the exposed example,

There are  256 genetic possibilities for independent assortment of a zygote made from two fruit fly parents.

You can learn more about genetic possibilities for independent assortment at

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256

Explanation:

If there are 2 pairs of chromosomes Aa and Bb, there are 4 possibilities for independent assortment of gametes:

A w B, aith with b, A with b and a with B.

If there are 3 pairs of chromosomes Aa, Bb and Cc, there are 8 possibilities:

ABC, abc, ABc, Abc, aBC, aBc, abC, AbC

This corresponds to 2^n, where n= the number of chromosomes.

Therefore, with 8 chromosomes, the possibilities are 2^8 = 256

This is for each parent.

d. making up measurements to record.

b.