Question

Which of the following is the advantage of meiotic recombination in diploids?

• A. Helps in maintaining chromosome length
• B. Ensures chromosome segregation
• C. Helps chromosomes to attach to the spindle microtubules
• D. Ensures new combinations of genetic traits

Answer 1

The correct option is D Ensures new combinations of genetic traits

Meiotic recombination is the result of crossover and independent assortment. Crossover is the exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids of a homologous pair that generate new genetic combinations; option D is correct. Telomeres are the structures present at the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes and have many tandem copies of a short oligonucleotide sequence with guanine residues in one strand and cytosine in the complementary strand. The G-rich strand has a few hundred nucleotides long overhang at the 3’ end which serves as the primer for its elongation by telomerase enzyme and thereby maintaining chromosome length; option A is incorrect. The independent assortment of non-homologous chromosomes during meiosis results in independent segregation of nonhomologous chromosomes; option B is incorrect. Centromere directs the formation of the kinetochore on its surface, a special protein structure that attaches to the microtubules in the mitotic spindle; option C is incorrect. The correct answer is D.