During what stage of meiosis does independent assortment occur? What is segregation and when does it occur in meiosis? How do these processes affect the gametes formed during meiosis? Explain.

In metaphase I of meiosis,homologous chromosomes align in many different orientations along the metaphase plate.The law of independent assortment relates to this random alignment at the metaphase plate.During anaphase 1,the homologous pairs segregate (separate)into opposite daughter cells.The random alignment of the homologous pairs during metaphase I and their subsequent segregation results in gametes with many possible combinations of chromosomes and alleles.