Question

Random assortment of chromosomes is one of the processes by which genetic variation is generated.

Explain what the process means and how new variation is produced as a consequence of random assortment.

Answer 1

Each organism has two sets of chromosomes: one from father and one from mother. In meiosis process, the cells have to divide in haploid way which occurs in meiosis I. the homologous chromosomes from mother and father get divides and form new cells of having haploid chromosomes. During that process, the maternal chromosome does not separate equally while paternal equally separates. The unequal separation of maternal chromosome leads one cell has more maternal chromosome than the second one. That called as random assortment of chromosomes. That also brings variations because unequal distribution; if a thing equally distributes to its associates then there is no variations. Therefore, the progeny who will get such type of chromosomes will have variations. The other factor during random assortment is homologous recombination. During anaphase I of meiosis, the homologous chromosomes recombine together and provide each other their parts. That also brings variations through unequal distributions. The random assortment of chromosomes is opposite to independent one of Mendel. Independent tells about equal distributions, which brings no variation.