Which of the following methods is used to solve problems involving independent assortment?

• A. Reciprocal cross method
• B. Forked line method
• C. Diagrams of inheritance patterns
• D. Dominance hierarchy method

Answer: (B)

The forked line method is a powerful tool used to solve genetic problems related to independent assortment, which is a fundamental principle of genetics that describes how alleles segregate independently during gamete formation. This method allows for a clear visualization of the probabilities of different allele combinations when considering two or more traits that assort independently.

By using the forked line method, a geneticist can systematically account for the different possible combinations of alleles that result from parental crosses. The approach effectively represents the branching of options for each trait, which helps in calculating the probabilities of each phenotype in the offspring. It is especially useful for predicting outcomes in dihybrid or polyhybrid crosses, where multiple traits are considered.

While reciprocal crosses can be informative, particularly in studying sex-linked traits, and diagrams of inheritance patterns provide a visual reference for understanding genetic relationships, they do not offer the same level of utility for directly calculating probabilities of independent assortment. Similarly, the dominance hierarchy method focuses on the interactions among alleles rather than their independent assortment during gamete formation. Hence, the forked line method is the most effective approach for addressing problems that involve independent assortment in genetics.