During metaphase of meiosis, chromosomes form tetrads at the center of the cell. These tetrads are formed from pairs of homologous chromosomes. One chromosomes came from the organism's mother and the other from its father. During alignment, these chromosomes are arranged randomly, such that each gamete will have a combination of maternal and paternal DNA from the organism. This random mixing of DNA during gamete formation is known as the law of independent assortment, and plays a key role in diversifying the genetic background of offspring that form from the gamete.

The alleles for gene A assort independently from the alleles of gene B, meaning that the genotype for one does not affect the genotype of the other. Even though there are two genes, we can solve this problem by answering the question separately for the two genes.

There are three possible genotypes with respect to the A gene (AA, Aa, aa) and three possible genotypes with respect to the B gene (BB, Bb, bb). Since genes A and B assort independently, the possible offspring will be the product of the possibilities for each separate gene.

Listed out, these genotypes are: AABB, AABb, AaBB, AAbb, AaBb, aaBB, Aabb, aaBb, aabb.

A somatic cell is a non-sex cell. During interphase (i.e. not during mitosis), a somatic cell of a diploid organism will be in its 2n state with two copies of each chromosome. A diploid somatic cell with eight chromosomes indicates that 2n=8.

When a somatic cell undergoes mitosis it first replicates its chromosomes, so in metaphase it will have sixteen chromatids. At this point, each of the eight chromosomes will be composed of two identical chromatids, for a total of sixteen.

When a germ cell begins meiosis, it also replicates the chromosomes and has sixteen chromatids until meiosis I is complete. During meiosis II, the two daughter cells from meiosis I each contain four chromosomes, each with two chromatids, for a total of eight chromatids. These chromatids are split during meiosis II, giving you four gametes that each have four chromosomes, each made of only one chromatid. This means that the gametes are haploid, since they contain only half of the original genetic material (n=4).

The transition from diploid to haploid occurs after meiosis I, since the first daughter cells only contain one copy of each chromosome after the tetrads are separated.

Strings of DNA coiled around histone proteins make up chromatin. Chromatin condenses into chromatids. Two chromatids line up at the centrosome during cell replication, which results in X-shaped chromosomes.

Genotype is defined as the sequence of genetic makeup that determines specific characteristics and traits—phenotypes—of an individual. The genome is defined as the collection of an individual’s genes and consists of DNA. A genotype is expressed when information in DNA makes RNA and protein molecules, which determine the structure and function of cells; however, a genotype can also refer to genes carried by an individual, which includes mutations. Last, phenotype refers to observable physical characteristics within an individual. Some phenotypical traits are determined by the genotype, while others are shaped by environmental factors.