Genetic Variation, Crossing Over - Elizabeth Maguire

Genetic Variation - Crossing Over

What is genetic variation? Well, it is when genes differentiate between individuals. It can also refer to the amount of a certain gene that is part of or shown in a person. Genetic variation is extremely important to our society because it allows for diversity and it helps in natural selection. 
Now crossing over genetic variation is when a chromosome duplicates itself and makes a sister chromatid. The chromosomes pair up and the non-sister chromosomes swap genes. All four of the chromosomes then have different genes from each other. They then separate into the gametes sperm and egg. Each of them will be genetically different from the other because of this process.

When I started this I had no idea what crossing over even meant. Now I know that it means the non-sister chromosomes exchange genes, which then leads to genetic variation. I was surprised because I didn't know that genetic variation can be something so complex but simple at the same time. I think that this subject can seem confusing when you first read it, but will make more sense when you see a visual of it. Genetic variation - crossing over can be applied outside of biology by the way organisms look. Crossing over is just one type of how genetic variation occurs, so it will determine your genes, which determine how you look.

Citations:

"What Is Genetic Variation?". Reference. N.p., 2016. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.
D2gne97vdumgn3.cloudfront.net. N.p., 2016. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.
"Pearson - The Biology Place". Phschool.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.