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Question
Independent assortment recombines genes from ______ chromosomes, and crossing over recombines genes from ______ chromosomes.
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Solution
Independent assortment recombines genes from non-homologous chromosomes, and crossing over recombines genes from homologous chromosomes.
Explanation:
Independent assortment occurs during meiosis when chromosomes are distributed randomly into gametes, mixing genes located on different (non-homologous) chromosomes. In contrast, crossing over is the physical exchange of chromosome segments between homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis, which rearranges genes within the same chromosome by exchanging segments between the paired homologs. This results in new combinations of alleles on the same chromosome, increasing genetic variation.
