Final answer:
The two important applications of homologous recombination are DNA repair, which corrects damage to single-stranded or double-stranded DNA, and genetic recombination, which occurs during meiosis and contributes to genetic diversity through the exchange of alleles between homologous chromosomes. The correct option is 1) DNA repair
Step-by-step explanation:
The two important applications of homologous recombination are DNA repair and genetic recombination. During DNA repair, homologous recombination works to either repair a single-stranded DNA break, which can happen when a replication fork is damaged, or repair a double-stranded DNA break with the help of proteins like MRX, MRN, Sae2, and Sgs1. For genetic recombination, during meiosis, homologous chromosomes undergo synapsis which leads to the physical exchange of alleles, also known as crossing over, ensuring genetic diversity.
These processes use a shared set of molecular machinery that not only helps to maintain the integrity of the genome by repairing DNA but also fosters the diversity of species. The process of homologous recombination is conserved across different species, indicating its evolutionary importance for both the accurate repair of DNA and the preservation of genetic variation within a population. The correct option is 1) DNA repair