Number of Chromosome Combinations

AQA AS-level BiologyGenetic DiversityLesson 12 of 19

Asexual reproduction results in clones. The offspring are genetically identical to the parent and each other.

Sexual reproduction leads to variation. One set of chromosomes is inherited from each parent and during meiosis there is genetic recombination.

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allele: One of the different versions of a gene, arising by mutation, that occupy the same locus on homologous chromosomes.
homologous chromosomes: A pair of chromosomes, one from each parent, that carry the same genes at the same loci but may carry different alleles.
meiosis: A type of nuclear division that produces four genetically different haploid daughter cells (gametes) from a diploid parent cell.
crossing over: The exchange of alleles between homologous chromosomes, occurring at chiasmata during prophase I of meiosis, which increases genetic variation.
independent segregation: The random distribution of maternal and paternal chromosomes, or of sister chromatids, into daughter cells during meiosis, which increases genetic variation.