Why is meiosis a source of genetic variability for organisms?

Question

Hudson Ansley · Accepted Answer

In meiosis the chromosomes and genes are shuffled providing multiple possible combinations of DNA.

The human genome consists of twenty-three pairs of chromosomes; during meiosis, these forty-six pairs of chromosomes are doubled, and the chromosomes are rearranged and individually sorted into four sex cells, each of which has twenty-three chromosomes. This results in an enormous number of possible offspring from two parents. 23 factorial = # 2.59 xx 10^22 # possible sex cells from one parent. which be combined with the equal number of sex cells from the other parent. Additionally, chromosome crossing occurs frequently, resulting in the mixing of genes as sections of one chromosome are exchanged for sections of another chromosome. Between 20,000 and 30,000 functional genes are thought to be present in the human genome, and there is seemingly no limit to the possible arrangements of these genes. There is nothing new created per se; rather, new or novel combinations will give rise to new varieties of life. All of these possible combinations are sources of variability.

Isabella Anderson · Answer

undefined Meiosis generates genetic variability through processes such as independent assortment, random orientation of homologous chromosomes, and crossing over during prophase I, leading to unique combinations of genetic material in gametes.

Piper Anderson · Answer

undefined Meiosis is a source of genetic variability for organisms because it involves two rounds of division (meiosis I and meiosis II), each followed by genetic recombination (crossing over) and random assortment of chromosomes. This process results in the formation of genetically unique gametes with different combinations of alleles, leading to genetic diversity among offspring.