Advanced Placement (AP) Biology Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the AP Biology Exam with targeted review materials. Study with detailed questions, hints, and explanations. Excel in the exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is the term for the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis?

Mutation
Crossing Over
Segregation
Independent Assortment

The correct answer is: Crossing Over

The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis is known as crossing over. This process occurs when homologous chromosomes align closely and exchange segments of their chromatids. As a result, crossing over increases genetic diversity by producing new combinations of alleles, which is essential for the evolution and adaptation of species. In this context, mutation refers to changes in the DNA sequence, which can occur independently of crossing over but is not specifically related to the exchange between homologous chromosomes. Segregation refers to the separation of homologous chromosomes during anaphase I of meiosis and is responsible for each gamete receiving only one chromosome from each pair. Independent assortment describes how different gene loci assort independently during gamete formation, leading to additional genetic variation, but it does not involve the physical exchange of genetic material like crossing over does.