The law of segregation states that the two alleles controlling each character maintain identity in the organism but during the formation of gametes or spores by meiosis move apart due to separation of the homologous chromosomes which bear them, so that each gamete or spore receives only one allele of each character on random basis. Since, the gametes or spores possess one allele of each character, they are always pure. The law of segregation is, therefore, also called the law of purity of gametes/spores. Mendel's second law or the law of independent assortment states that the alleles of different characters located in different pairs of homologous chromosomes are independent of one another in their segregation during gamete formation and in coming together into the offspring by fertilization, both processes occurring randomly.