Which of the following processes occurs in meiosis but not in mitosis?

• A. Spindle formation
• B. Cytokinesis
• C. Chromosome replication
• D. Crossing over

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the basic difference between mitosis and meiosis: Mitosis results in two identical daughter cells, while meiosis results in four genetically diverse daughter cells.
2. Identify the unique events in meiosis: Meiosis includes two rounds of division (meiosis I and meiosis II) and introduces genetic diversity through processes like crossing over.
3. Define crossing over: Crossing over is the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis, leading to genetic variation.
4. Compare with mitosis: In mitosis, homologous chromosomes do not pair up, and crossing over does not occur, as the goal is to produce identical cells.
5. Conclude that crossing over is a process that occurs in meiosis but not in mitosis, making it unique to meiosis.