Here's why:
* Sex cells (gametes) are haploid: This means they contain only one set of chromosomes, unlike regular body cells (somatic cells) which are diploid (two sets).
* Meiosis: During the process of meiosis, which creates sex cells, the chromosomes from the parent cells are separated and only one chromosome from each pair goes into each gamete.
* Allele segregation: This means that each sex cell receives only one allele for each trait, either the one from the mother or the one from the father.
Example:
Let's say you have the allele for brown eyes (B) from your mother and the allele for blue eyes (b) from your father. Your sex cells will either carry the B allele or the b allele, but not both.
This ensures that offspring inherit one allele from each parent, resulting in a unique combination of traits.
