The law of independent assortment in genetics states that alleles for different genes segregate independently of one another during gamete formation. This principle, one of Mendel's key findings, explains how traits are inherited separately from other traits, leading to genetic variation in offspring. During meiosis, the arrangement of chromosome pairs is random, resulting in different combinations of alleles in gametes. This concept is fundamental for understanding the inheritance patterns of multiple traits and serves as a cornerstone in the study of genetic diversity, evolution, and breeding practices in agriculture and animal husbandry.