Genetic Variation
Genetic Variations are naturally occurring differences that exist within a given population. These differences are due to the variations in genes or DNA sequences. Each of these variations are called alleles. This reshuffling of genes is essential to the genetic variation in a population and explain the differences we see between parents and their children.
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Prophase 1: Homologous chromosomes pair up, gene by gene, in tetrad formation. Linkage groups are broken as DNA is exchanged. This process is called genetic recombination, or crossing over.
Metaphase 1: Chromosome tetrads are aligned along the metaphase plate. How they orient themselves along the plate is completely random. As a result, independent assortment is observed. Independent assortment yields gametes that carry millions of combinations of alleles from different genes.
Through recombination and independent assortment during meiosis, a gamete with a different set of DNA from its parent combines with another to form a zygote with a unique combination of DNA.
Metaphase 1: Chromosome tetrads are aligned along the metaphase plate. How they orient themselves along the plate is completely random. As a result, independent assortment is observed. Independent assortment yields gametes that carry millions of combinations of alleles from different genes.
Through recombination and independent assortment during meiosis, a gamete with a different set of DNA from its parent combines with another to form a zygote with a unique combination of DNA.