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When Does Crossing Over Occur during Meiosis?

Answer – Crossing over occurs during the pachytene stage of prophase I of meiosis.

Explanation: 

During the crossover, the homologous chromosomes pair up and DNA segments are exchanged between these chromosomes. This results in the formation of a structure called a tetrad. A tetrad consists of four chromatids (two from each homologous chromosome). The crossing over introduces genetic diversity among offspring, creating new combinations of genetic traits.

A diagram showcasing the crossover occurring during the pachytene stage of prophase I of meiosis
Crossing over is the swapping of genetic material that occurs during the pachytene stage of prophase I of meiosis.
Image credit: Abbyprovenzano / Wikimedia Commons (licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0)


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