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Definition: recombination from The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide

In genetics, any process that recombines, or ‘shuffles’, the genetic material, thus increasing genetic variation in the offspring. The two main processes of recombination both occur during meiosis (reduction division of cells). One is crossing over, in which chromosome pairs exchange segments; the other is the random reassortment of chromosomes that occurs when each gamete (sperm or egg) receives only one of each chromosome pair.

recombination

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
process of “shuffling” of genes by which new combinations can be generated. In recombination through sexual reproduction , the offspring's complete set of genes differs from that of either parent, being rather a combination of genes from both parents. In recombination by crossing over , alleles of genes are exchanged between homologous chromosomes during meiosis . This exchange results in the generation of new combinations of alleles on segments of chromosomes, counteracting the tendency of linked genes, i.e., genes on the same chromosome, to be always transmitted as a group. Various mechanisms for introducing new genetic material have been discovered in bacteria. These mechanisms have been used extensively to study gene structure and function. In transformation, a fragment of free deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is inserted in a recipient bacterium (see nucleic acid ). The free DNA fragment comes from the chromosome of a bacterial cell that has been lysed, or dissolved. In transduction, …
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Full text Article recombination (genetic recombination)

From Dictionary of Microbiology & Molecular Biology
RECOMBINATION: Figure 1. Holliday model [Genet....
A process in which one or more nucleic acid molecules are re-arranged to generate new combinations or sequences of genes, alleles, or other nucleotide sequences; it may involve e.g. the physical exchange of material between two molecules, the integration of two molecules to form a single molecule, …
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Full text Article recombination

From Penguin Dictionary of Biology
Any process, other than point mutation, by which an organism produces cells with gene combinations different from any it inherited. Offspring resulting from such recombinant cells are recombinant offspring . A major source of GENETIC VARIATION , its effectiveness is dependent upon mutation for…
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Full text Article Recombination

From 50 Biology Ideas You Really Need to Know
Recombination
Genes are not passed between generations as discrete particles, but are arranged in a linear order along chromosomes. This not only explains why characteristics can be inherited together, it also allows offspring to inherit new combinations of genes from their parents by the shuffling process of…
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Full text Article recombination

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
process of “shuffling” of genes by which new combinations can be generated. In recombination through sexual reproduction , the offspring's complete set of genes differs from that of either parent, being rather a combination of genes from both parents. In recombination by crossing over , alleles of…
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Full text Article Recombination Pathways

From Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics
Recombination Pathways
Abstract Homologous recombination is a complex process that has several important roles: repair of broken DNA, repair of disintegrated replication forks, and generation of genetic diversity. Two independent recombination pathways, RecBCD and RecF(OR), operate in Escherichia coli . Both pathways are…
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Full text Article Reciprocal Recombination

From Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics
Model for reciprocal recombination...
Abstract In a two-factor cross (AB×ab), recombination is reciprocal when the two recombinant types (Ab and aB) are produced in the same event. Such reciprocality characterizes meiotic recombination as well as certain site-specific recombination events well studied in prokaryotes. Keywords Gene…
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Full text Article Recombination Suppression

From Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics
Recombination Suppression
Abstract Recombination suppression eliminates the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes, thereby reducing genetic variability. It is usually associated with the presence of one or more inversions present on one homolog but not on the other, in which the orientation of the…
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Full text Article DNA Recombination

From Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics
DNA Recombination
Keywords Genetic recombination Illegitimate recombination Legitimate recombination Sequence homology The term DNA recombination is often used interchangeably with genetic recombination, but there are two contexts in which it may have a distinct meaning. First, DNA recombination is distinguished from…
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Full text Article Genetic Recombination

From Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics
Simplified diagram of a meiotic...
Abstract Genetic recombination refers to the exchange of DNA segments between chromosomes or other DNA molecules. In meiosis, genetic recombination ensures proper chromosome segregation and also reassorts DNA sequences on homologous chromosomes. The latter forms the basis of genetic mapping. In…
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Full text Article Illegitimate Recombination

From Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics
Illegitimate Recombination
Abstract Illegitimate recombination is distinguished from legitimate, or homologous, recombination by the fact that little or no sequence homology is involved in the events. Two types of joining processes are typically classified as illegitimate. Nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) is a mechanism of…
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