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Fion Lai 13 C The significance of meiosis in generating genetic variation Meiosis is undergone to produce sex cells (gametes). It consists of two divisions. The first division includes the separation of homologous chromosomes. This part of the division allows crossing over and swapping bits of chromatids and this leads to shuffling of genes so that the sex cells produced are genetically unique. The second division includes the pulling apart of chromatids. This produces four haploid nuclui, each with one copy of each homologous chromosome. But why is it essential to have genetic variation in gametes? Theoretically, a species of organism may survive in the same body form in an unchanging environment for millions of years. However, most environments change over time. Under this circumstance, variation generated by sexual reproduction ensures that the individuals within the population survive under the changing environment. If all individuals are genetically identical to one another, when...

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