Two laws summarizing Gregor Mendel’s theory of inheritance (see also mendelism). The Law of Segregation states that each hereditary characteristic is controlled by two ‘factors’ (now called alleles), which segregate (separate) and pass into separate germ (reproductive) cells. The Law of Independent Assortment states that pairs of ‘factors’ segregate independently of each other when germ cells are formed (see also independent assortment). These laws are the foundation of classical genetics.