AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Prophase I: The nuclear envelope breaks down. The chromatin condenses into chromosomes. Homologous chromosomes containing the two chromatids come together to form tetrads, joining at their centromeres (2n 4c). This is when “crossing over” occurs, which creates genetic variation.

Detailed explanation-2: -Genetic variation is increased by meiosis Recombination or crossing over occurs during prophase I.

Detailed explanation-3: -Meiosis I, the first meiotic division, begins with prophase I. During prophase I, the complex of DNA and protein known as chromatin condenses to form chromosomes. The pairs of replicated chromosomes are known as sister chromatids, and they remain joined at a central point called the centromere.

Detailed explanation-4: -Genetic recombination occurs in the pachytene phase of the prophase of meiosis-I.

Detailed explanation-5: -Crossing over occurs during prophase I of meiosis before tetrads are aligned along the equator in metaphase I. By meiosis II, only sister chromatids remain and homologous chromosomes have been moved to separate cells. Recall that the point of crossing over is to increase genetic diversity.