Question

Why does meiosis result in more genetic variation than can be explained by mutation alone?

Answer 1

In meiosis cell division gametes are produced. Mitosis cell division is broadly classified into two-phases- meiosis-I and meiosis-II.

During meiosis I, homologous chromosomes exchange chromatin materials. This event is known as crossing over and the most significant event which creates genetic variations. Four gametes are produced from a meiotic cell division and of which 50% are recombinant (genetically variable than the parents). It is the most frequent process for generating variation. Although mutation can also cause genetic variation, but the rate of mutation is too low in compared to homologous recombination during meiosis. Therefore meiosis results in more genetic variation than the mutation alone.

In this figure - how meiosis causes genetic variation is explained.