Final answer:
Crossing over is the process that causes genetic recombination. During meiosis I, homologous chromosomes exchange segments of genetic material, resulting in new combinations of alleles. This increases genetic variation in offspring.
Step-by-step explanation:
Genetic recombination is the process by which DNA strands from different sources or different regions within a genome are combined to produce new combinations of genetic material. This can occur through processes such as crossing over during meiosis, contributing to genetic diversity among offspring and populations.
The process that causes genetic recombination is called crossing over. During crossing over, homologous chromosomes exchange segments of genetic material, resulting in new combinations of alleles. This process occurs during meiosis I, specifically during prophase I when homologous chromosomes pair up and form tetrads. Through crossing over, genetic variation is increased, leading to offspring with different sets of alleles and genes than their parents.