What is recombination in the context of genetics?

Recombination in genetics refers to the process where genetic material is exchanged between homologous chromosomes, resulting in the formation of new combinations of alleles. This occurs typically during meiosis, specifically in prophase I, when homologous chromosomes pair up and may exchange segments of their DNA through a process called crossing over.

When recombination takes place, it contributes to genetic diversity in the offspring by ensuring that combinations of alleles are shuffled as they are passed down from parents to offspring. This is crucial for evolution and adaptation, as it enhances variability within a population.

The other options address related concepts but do not capture the complete essence of recombination as defined in genetics. While the separation of alleles during gamete formation refers to the law of segregation, it does not specifically involve the exchange of genetic material between chromosomes. The exchange of DNA between sister chromatids pertains more to a different process that occurs during DNA replication rather than recombination. Mutation, although it can lead to new genetic variations, is a distinct process that alters the DNA sequence itself rather than exchanging segments between existing DNA strands.