Recombination

Recombination

Recombination (/ˌriːkəmbɪˈneɪʃən/) is a process by which pieces of DNA are broken and recombined to produce new combinations of alleles. This process leads to the production of offspring with combinations of traits that differ from those found in either parent.

Etymology

The term "recombination" is derived from the English words "re-" meaning again, and "combination", referring to the process of combining genetic material.

Process

Recombination occurs during meiosis, a type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in parent cells by half and produces four gamete cells. This process occurs in all sexually reproducing organisms and is a fundamental aspect of genetic diversity.

During meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange segments of their DNA in a process called crossing over. This exchange of genetic material allows for the recombination of alleles, resulting in offspring with unique combinations of traits from both parents.

Related Terms

• Allele
• DNA
• Meiosis
• Crossing over
• Genetic diversity

See Also

• Genetic recombination
• Homologous recombination
• Site-specific recombination
• V(D)J recombination

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Recombination
• Wikipedia's article - Recombination

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