Final answer:
Productive gene rearrangements create new functional genes with new allele combinations, while non-productive gene rearrangements disrupt gene function.
Step-by-step explanation:
In genetics, gene rearrangements can be classified as productive or non-productive based on their impact on gene function. A productive gene rearrangement refers to a rearrangement that creates a functional gene with a new combination of genetic elements. For example, if two genes on the same chromosome undergo a recombination event during meiosis, it can result in new allele combinations that produce a functional protein. On the other hand, a non-productive gene rearrangement refers to a rearrangement that disrupts the function of a gene. This could occur if a portion of the gene is deleted, inverted, or undergoes other structural changes that render it non-functional.