Random orientation of homologous pairs of chromosomes during meiosis I results in alternative arrangements that contribute to genetic variation in offspring. This is called .

Random orientation of homologous pairs of chromosomes during meiosis I results in alternative arrangements that contribute to genetic variation in offspring. This is called "independent assortment".

Explanation:

The sets of homologous chromosomes, also recognized as bivalents or tetrads, align along the metaphase plate in a random order in metaphase I of meiosis I. Another way for cells to incorporate genetic variation is by spontaneous orientation. Mendel's independent assortment law stipulates that, independently of one another, the alleles of two or more different genes are sorted into gamets.

In other terms, for one gene, the allele that a gamete receives does not affect the allele that is obtained for another.Genetic recombination (by random segregation) and crossing over during meiosis creates daughter cells each containing different combinations of maternally and paternally coded genes.