AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -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: -This process, also known as crossing over, creates gametes that contain new combinations of genes, which helps maximize the genetic diversity of any offspring that result from the eventual union of two gametes during sexual reproduction.

Detailed explanation-3: -Genetic variation can be caused by mutation (which can create entirely new alleles in a population), random mating, random fertilization, and recombination between homologous chromosomes during meiosis (which reshuffles alleles within an organism’s offspring).

Detailed explanation-4: -Meiosis also produces genetic variation by way of the process of recombination. Later, this variation is increased even further when two gametes unite during fertilization, thereby creating offspring with unique combinations of DNA.