AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -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-2: -Crossing over, as related to genetics and genomics, refers to the exchange of DNA between paired homologous chromosomes (one from each parent) that occurs during the development of egg and sperm cells (meiosis).

Detailed explanation-3: -During prophase of meiosis I, the double-chromatid homologous pairs of chromosomes cross over with each other and often exchange chromosome segments. This recombination creates genetic diversity by allowing genes from each parent to intermix, resulting in chromosomes with a different genetic complement.

Detailed explanation-4: -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.