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Multiple Choice
What is the primary cause of genetic variation during meiosis?
A
Formation of the mitotic spindle
B
Crossing over between homologous chromosomes
C
DNA replication
D
Cytokinesis
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, creating four haploid cells, each genetically distinct from the parent cell.
Recognize that genetic variation is crucial for evolution and adaptation, and meiosis contributes to this variation in several ways.
Identify that one of the primary causes of genetic variation during meiosis is 'crossing over,' which occurs during prophase I of meiosis.
During crossing over, homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange segments of genetic material. This process results in new combinations of alleles on each chromosome.
Realize that crossing over increases genetic diversity by producing chromosomes with new combinations of genes, which are different from those of the parent organisms.