AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -During meiosis, homologous chromosomes (1 from each parent) pair along their lengths. The chromosomes cross over at points called chiasma. At each chiasma, the chromosomes break and rejoin, trading some of their genes. This recombination results in genetic variation.

Detailed explanation-2: -Crossing Over This process results in new combinations of alleles in the gametes (egg or sperm) formed, which ensures genomic variation in any offspring produced.

Detailed explanation-3: -Crossing over is important for the normal segregation of chromosomes during meiosis. Crossing over also accounts for genetic variation, because due to the swapping of genetic material during crossing over, the chromatids held together by the centromere are no longer identical.

Detailed explanation-4: -Crossing over allows for the rearrangement of genetic code within the chromosome. In other words, in addition to the 223 different cell types that can be created because of independent assortment, crossing over is an additional way your cells generate diversity in sperm and egg cells during meiosis.