genetic variation
What genetic variation means in Biology A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of genetic variation
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Reference: OCR
Crossing over in prophase I and independent assortment in metaphase I generate genetic variation among the products, giving offspring a new allele combination.
Meiosis produces daughter cells that are genetically different from each other, and crossing over increases genetic diversity.
Arises from individuals carrying different alleles, produced by mutation and rearranged by meiosis and random fertilisation.
Topics that use genetic variation
- Evolution may lead to speciation (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Genetic diversity can arise as a result of mutation or during (AQA A-Level)
- Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- crossing over
- new combinations of alleles
- polyploidy
- random fertilisation
- allele frequency change
- alleles
- allopatric speciation
- anaphase
Using genetic variation in the exam
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