What is independent assortment, and how does it contribute to variation within a species?

The genes may combine in different ways in the coming generations. The new combinations show new genotype and phenotype. It results variations in the species. The variations are the raw materials for the natural selection.
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Independent assortment is a principle of genetics that states that alleles of different genes segregate independently during the formation of gametes. This means that the inheritance of one gene does not influence the inheritance of another gene. Independent assortment contributes to variation within a species by producing different combinations of alleles in the offspring, leading to genetic diversity. As a result, individuals within a species exhibit a wide range of phenotypic traits, which can enhance their ability to adapt to changing environments and increase the overall fitness of the population.