Final answer:
Inversions and translocations can increase genetic diversity by introducing new gene configurations, contributing to evolution. These chromosomal rearrangements might not always have negative effects, with inversions often having milder consequences unless they disrupt gene sequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The evolutionary significance of inversions and translocations lies in their ability to contribute to genetic diversity. Although such chromosomal rearrangements can be problematic during reproduction, potentially leading to infertility if they disrupt gene sequences, they don't always cause negative effects. A chromosome inversion might have mild effects unless it disrupts a gene sequence.
Transposons and exon shuffling through unequal recombination can introduce new gene configurations, potentially endowing new phenotypes and functions that could be beneficial, neutral, or deleterious to the organism. Over time, these modifications can contribute to the evolution of new species, as seen with the chromosome 18 inversion in humans relative to chimpanzees.