Which term refers to the random assortment of chromosomes during cell division?

The term that refers to the random assortment of chromosomes during cell division is independent assortment. This process occurs during meiosis, particularly in metaphase I, where homologous chromosomes are randomly distributed into gametes. This means that the combination of chromosomes passed on to the offspring is a mix of alleles from the organism's parents, leading to genetic variation in the resulting gametes.

Independent assortment is crucial for increasing genetic diversity, as it allows for different combinations of genes to be inherited, independent of one another. This variation is fundamental for the evolution and adaptability of species over time.

In contrast, crossover refers to the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis, which also contributes to genetic variation but is a different mechanism. Segregation pertains to the separation of alleles during gamete formation, while duplication refers to the process of copying genetic material, which does not involve the random assortment of chromosomes.