AP BIOLOGY

CELL DIVISION

MEIOSIS AND GENETIC VARIATION

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
During meiosis, homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material. This exchange of genetic material ____
A
increases the genetic variation
B
reduces the diploid number to the haploid number
C
increases the haploid number to the diploid number
D
reduces the probability of mutations
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Crossing-over is the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes. It results in new combinations of genes on each chromosome. When cells divide during meiosis, homologous chromosomes are randomly distributed to daughter cells, and different chromosomes segregate independently of each other.

Detailed explanation-2: -Crossing over is a process that happens between homologous chromosomes in order to increase genetic diversity. During crossing over, part of one chromosome is exchanged with another. The result is a hybrid chromosome with a unique pattern of genetic material.

Detailed explanation-3: -Recombination in meiosis. Recombination occurs when two molecules of DNA exchange pieces of their genetic material with each other. One of the most notable examples of recombination takes place during meiosis (specifically, during prophase I), when homologous chromosomes line up in pairs and swap segments of DNA.

Detailed explanation-4: -Meiosis is important for creating genomic diversity in a species. It accomplishes this primarily through 2 processes: independent assortment and crossing over (recombination).

Detailed explanation-5: -Specifically, meiosis creates new combinations of genetic material in each of the four daughter cells. These new combinations result from the exchange of DNA between paired chromosomes. Such exchange means that the gametes produced through meiosis exhibit an amazing range of genetic variation.

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