Crossing over and independent assortment can occur during meiosis. How does this support the claim that meiosis results in inheritable genetic variations?

1. It maintains genetic stability.
2 It results in identical daughter cells.
3. It allows for new combinations of genes.
4. It produces cells that have genetic combinations that arent passed on.

1 answer

The correct answer is:

3. It allows for new combinations of genes.

Crossing over and independent assortment during meiosis contribute to genetic variation by mixing genetic material from the parents and creating new combinations of alleles. This variation is essential for evolution and can be inherited by the offspring, leading to diversity within a population.