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How does meiosis cause genetic variation??

Hi guys!

This question always seems to peek up a lot but my textbook is so useless at answering it - ugh

Describe the role of meiosis in the production of genetic variation.

I know it's due to independent assortment and crossing over; but how do we explain these two?

Thanks!
Reply 1
Original post by badass_geek
Hi guys!

This question always seems to peek up a lot but my textbook is so useless at answering it - ugh

Describe the role of meiosis in the production of genetic variation.

I know it's due to independent assortment and crossing over; but how do we explain these two?

Thanks!


2 pairs of homologous chromosomes form a bivalent , sister chromatids form a chiasma in prophase 1 crossing over occurs here . Random assortment of chromosomes at the centre in meiosis 1 and 2 . Other ways are mutation and random fertilisation , this question came up in Jan 13 . You don't have to go into crazy detail state what is happening and at which stages in meiosis
Reply 2
1. either of the homologous chromosomes may be in a cell, so there is a large diversity of the genotype of the cell formed by meiosis.
2. crossing over

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