During prophase I of melosis, a part of chromatid of one chromosome goes over to a chromatid of the other

chromosome and vice versa. This interchange of the parts of the chromatids of a pair of homologous
chromosomes is known as crossing over. Thus, there is an exchange of genes or the genetic material between
the two chromatids.the new chromosomes is different from both the parent chromosomes.
This leads to variations in the population. Through the maternal gametes (ova) and paternal gametes (sperms),
hereditary traits (characters) are passed on to child from parents. Genes are linearly arranged in chromosomes
which are the carriers of hereditary traits. With the crossing over of two parental chromosome segments, a child
inherits some of the traits from the mother and some from the father. This is why; two children from the same
parents resemble each other in some characters and differ in others.
The process of crossing over and its genetic significance can be understood by the following diagrams. Crossing
over takes place between the nonsister chromatids of homologous chromosomes (one paternal and the other
maternal).
After this process, maternal chromatid picks up the part of paternal chromatid having gene sequence b and c.
On the other hand, paternal chromatid obtained the maternal chromatid with gene sequence B and C. the
resultant chromosome is different from the chromosoeme of either parent. In other words, the resultant
chromosome possesses genes of both the parents. This results in variation in gene combinations which are
reflected in the variation of characters.


The cellular mechanisms by which parthenogenetic animals maintain a full set
of chromosomes are known as apomixis and automixis. Each mechanism
either alters or suppresses meiosis. Apomictic parthenogens are those in
which meiosis is completely suppressed whereas automictic parthenogens are
those in which the early stages of meiosis occur but the event is altered so that
no chromosome division results.

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