Unit 5 · 5.2 — Meiosis and Genetic Diversity [cite: 9, 10]
6 learning items · ~1.58% exam weight (unit share)
Everything to learn here
- Concept: Crossing over, independent assortment, and random fertilization are the three primary evolutionary drivers of immense genetic variation in populations [cite: 10, 13].
- Vocabulary: Crossing Over — the physical exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes during Prophase I [cite: 13, 14].
- Vocabulary: Independent Assortment — the entirely random orientation and distribution of homologous chromosome pairs along the metaphase plate during Metaphase I [cite: 13, 14].
- Vocabulary: Nondisjunction — the catastrophic failure of chromosomes to separate properly during meiosis, resulting in gametes with aneuploidy (abnormal chromosome counts) [cite: 14].
- Concept: Meiosis generates diversity by distributing a haploid mix of maternal and paternal chromosomes into each resulting gamete.
- Concept: Genetic variation is increased through crossing over, the random alignment of chromosomes, and the chance fusion of gametes during fertilization.
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