Final answer:
Unequal crossing-over can lead to gene duplication, where homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material unequally during meiosis, potentially leading to extra gene copies in one chromosome and gene loss in another.
Step-by-step explanation:
Unequal crossing-over can lead to gene duplication. This phenomenon occurs during meiosis when homologous chromosomes fail to align precisely, leading to unequal exchanges of genetic material. The result is that one chromosome may end up with extra copies of a particular gene or genes, while the other may lose them.
Although unequal crossing-over can contribute to genetic variation, it is more specifically known for causing gene duplication rather than increased genetic diversity, homologous recombination, or chromosomal inversion. Gene duplication can have various consequences, such as the evolution of new genes and functions or, in some cases, genetic disorders if the balance of gene dosage is disrupted.
Genetic recombination, as a broader category, is facilitated by processes such as independent assortment, crossing over, and chromosome segregation. One specific form of recombination, chromosomal crossover, occurs during meiosis I and contributes to genetic diversity by exchanging DNA between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes.