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Multiple Choice
What occurs during crossing over in meiosis?
A
Formation of the mitotic spindle
B
Separation of sister chromatids
C
Exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes
D
Replication of DNA
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 crossing over occurs during prophase I of meiosis, which is the first stage of meiosis I.
During crossing over, homologous chromosomes (pairs of similar chromosomes from each parent) come together in a process called synapsis, forming a structure known as a tetrad.
Within the tetrad, non-sister chromatids (chromatids from homologous chromosomes) exchange segments of genetic material. This exchange is facilitated by the formation of chiasmata, which are points where the chromatids are physically connected.
The result of crossing over is genetic recombination, which increases genetic diversity by producing new combinations of alleles on each chromosome.