Recombination

Definition

Recombination is the exchange of genetic material between different chromosomes or between different regions within a chromosome. It increases genetic diversity by creating new combinations of genes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Recombination occurs during meiosis, particularly in prophase I.
2. It plays a crucial role in genetic variation and evolution.
3. Crossing over is a specific type of recombination where homologous chromosomes exchange segments.
4. Recombination can repair damaged DNA and correct errors during cell division.
5. The frequency of recombination between two genes can be used to create genetic maps.

Review Questions

• What phase of meiosis does recombination primarily occur in?
• How does recombination contribute to genetic diversity?
• What is crossing over and how does it relate to recombination?

Related terms

Meiosis: A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four genetically diverse gametes.

Crossing Over: The process where homologous chromosomes exchange portions of their chromatids during meiosis, leading to genetic variation.

Genetic Map: A representation of the relative positions of genes on a chromosome, based on the frequency of recombination between them.