What Happens When Genes Cross During Meiosis?
Discover how gene crossing during meiosis leads to genetic variation and evolution.
133 views
Gene crossing, or crossing over, occurs during meiosis when homologous chromosomes exchange segments of DNA. This results in genetic variation which is crucial for evolution and adaptation. The process ensures that offspring have a mix of traits from both parents, leading to greater diversity within a species.
FAQs & Answers
- What is gene crossing? Gene crossing, or crossing over, is the exchange of DNA segments between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.
- Why is genetic variation important? Genetic variation is crucial for evolution, as it allows species to adapt to changing environments.
- How does meiosis contribute to diversity? Meiosis contributes to diversity through processes like crossing over and independent assortment of chromosomes.
- What are homologous chromosomes? Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that have the same structure and contain genes for the same traits.