Here's why:
* Meiosis is the process of cell division that produces gametes (sperm and egg cells).
* Homologous chromosomes, which carry the alleles for the same traits, pair up during meiosis.
* During Meiosis I, these homologous chromosomes separate, ensuring that each gamete receives only one copy of each chromosome (and therefore one allele for each trait).
This separation of alleles is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity and ensuring that offspring inherit a mix of traits from both parents.