Crossing over of homologous chromosomes does not occur.Group of answer choicesmitosis onlymeiosis onlyneither mitosis nor meiosisboth mitosis and meiosisNext

1. Break Down the Problem

We need to understand where crossing over (or recombination) occurs during cell division processes, specifically in mitosis and meiosis.

2. Relevant Concepts

• Mitosis: A type of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, generally for growth and maintenance.
• Meiosis: A special type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, creating four genetically diverse gametes. Crossing over occurs in meiosis during prophase I.

3. Analysis and Detail

• In mitosis, the chromosomes do not undergo recombination or crossing over; they simply replicate and distribute themselves into two daughter cells.
• In meiosis, particularly in the first phase (meiosis I), homologous chromosomes pair up and can exchange genetic material through crossing over, increasing genetic diversity in gametes.

4. Verify and Summarize

Given the processes involved:

• Mitosis does not involve crossing over.
• Meiosis does involve crossing over.

Final Answer

Crossing over of homologous chromosomes does not occur in mitosis only.