What is the significance of ‘independent assortment’ during meiosis?
Understand the Problem
The question asks about the significance of independent assortment during meiosis. 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 that gave rise to them. Independent assortment occurs during meiosis I and refers to the random orientation of homologous chromosome pairs, with each pair sorting their maternal and paternal homologs independently of other pairs. It's a key mechanism contributing to genetic variation.
Answer
Independent assortment increases genetic variation in offspring.
Independent assortment during meiosis is significant because it leads to the creation of diverse combinations of chromosomes in gametes. This increases genetic variation in offspring.
Answer for screen readers
Independent assortment during meiosis is significant because it leads to the creation of diverse combinations of chromosomes in gametes. This increases genetic variation in offspring.
More Information
Independent assortment occurs during metaphase I of meiosis I. The random alignment of homologous chromosome pairs results in different combinations of maternal and paternal chromosomes in each gamete. Without independent assortment, all offspring would inherit the same combination of genes as their parents.
Tips
A common mistake is to confuse independent assortment with crossing over. While both contribute to genetic diversity, independent assortment involves the random arrangement of chromosomes, while crossing over involves the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes.
Sources
- The law of independent assortment (article) | Khan Academy - khanacademy.org
- 7.6: Genetic Variation - Biology LibreTexts - bio.libretexts.org
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