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Meiosis and Genetic Variation
Meiosis and Genetic Variation
in gametes from diploid to haploid. It is the main way by which genetic variation occurs in species. This variation is introduced mainly by two processesindependent or random assortment and crossing over or recombination
paternal chromosomes into gametes during cell division. Chromosomes from the parents are distributed randomly into the gametes. There are more than eight million potential genetic combinations within the sperm and the egg
chromosomes.
cut and stitch bits of maternal and paternal
chromatids together.
The points where chromatids break are called
chiasmata
Importance of crossing over Exchange of genetic material leads to genetic variation. Errors in the process leads to mutation. It is a way of introducing new combinations into the genetic make-up of a species