The principle that variants of genes for a particular trait retain their separate identities through the generations is called:​

A) ​natural selection
B) ​law of segregation
C) ​law of heredity
D) ​law of independent assortment

The principle described in the question is the law of segregation, which states that each individual has two copies of each gene (one from each parent), and these copies segregate randomly and equally into the reproductive cells so that each reproductive cell receives only one copy of each gene. This ensures that variants of genes for a particular trait (known as alleles) retain their separate identities through the generations. Natural selection is a mechanism that explains how certain variants of genes are more likely to be passed on to the next generation if they offer an advantage in survival or reproduction. The law of heredity is not a specific principle in genetics, and the law of independent assortment describes how alleles of different genes on different chromosomes segregate independently of each other.