What does Mendel's law of segregation state?

Mendel's law of segregation states that during the formation of gametes (sperm and egg cells), the two alleles for a trait segregate from each other, meaning that each gamete carries only one allele for each trait. This concept is foundational in understanding how genetic traits are passed from parents to offspring. It emphasizes that when an organism reproduces, it will contribute only one of its two alleles to the genetic makeup of its offspring.

This principle underpins the basic pattern of inheritance observed in Mendelian genetics, illustrating how traits can be inherited in a predictable manner. The law effectively explains why offspring may inherit one trait from one parent and a different trait from the other parent, leading to a diverse expression of genetic characteristics in the next generation.