1. Homologouschromosomes pair up with each other and exchange different segments of their genetic material to form recombinant chromosomes.
2. The exchange of chromosome segments between homologouschromosomes.
Homologous Chromosomes?
Homologous chromosomes are chromosome pairs (one from each parent) that are similar in length, gene position, and centromere location.
Imagine you have one chromosome that contains the genetic information for hair (curly, straight, wavy) and one chromosome that contains the genetic information for teeth (long, short).
What would happen if these chromosomes combined genetic information? ---------------------->>>
Genetic Variation
Crossing over creates new combinations of genes in the gametes that are not found in either parent, contributing to genetic diversity.
This produces a unique combination of genes in the resulting zygote (fertilised egg).