Correlate Mendel's four postulates with what is now known about homologous chromosomes, genes, alleles, and the process of meiosis.

Short Answer: Mendel's Four Postulates relate to homologous chromosomes, genes, alleles, and the process of meiosis in the following ways: 1. The Law of Segregation states that organisms have two alleles for each trait, which separate during gamete formation in meiosis, ensuring each gamete carries only one allele for each trait. 2. The Law of Independent Assortment occurs during meiosis when homologous chromosomes line up independently along the metaphase plate, leading to different combinations of traits being passed onto the gametes. 3. The Law of Dominance correlates with alleles, as one version (allele) can be dominant over the other (recessive), resulting in the dominant trait being expressed even if there is only one copy of the dominant allele. 4. The Law of Unit Characters states that each trait is determined by a single gene, which serves as a useful starting point in understanding the relationship between genes and traits. However, it has limitations as many complex traits are influenced by multiple genes and their interactions.