Genetic Variation – Meiosis, Fertilisation, and Mutations (HSC SSCE Biology): Flashcards

Variation: individual differences; Variability: population diversity

Gametes (sex cells - sperm and eggs)

Meiosis reduces chromosome number by half

Four haploid daughter cells produced by meiosis

Exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes

Random alignment of chromosome pairs during metaphase I

$2^n$ where $n$ = number of chromosome pairs

$2^{23} = 8,388,608$ combinations

Any sperm can fuse with any egg

Entirely new genetic variants/alleles