Crossing Over
Definition
Crossing over is a process that occurs during meiosis where two chromosomes pair up and exchange segments of their genetic material. This leads to a mix of parental traits in offspring, contributing to genetic diversity.
Analogy
Think of crossing over like trading stickers with your friend. You both start with different sets of stickers (chromosomes), but after swapping some around (crossing over), you end up with unique collections that are combinations of the original sets.
Related terms
Recombination: The rearrangement of genetic material, especially by crossing over in chromosomes.
Meiosis: A type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell; it's how sex cells are produced.
Genetic Diversity: The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species, enhanced by crossing over.
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