What is recombination? Discuss the applications of recombination from the point of view of genetic engineering.

Explanation

Recombination refers to the generation of new combination of genes which is different from the parental types. It is produced due to crossing over that occurs during meiosis prior to gamete formation.
Applications of Recombination
(i) It is a means of introduction new combinations of genes and hence new traits.
(ii) It increases variability which is useful for natureal section and under changed environment.
(iii) Since, the frequency of crossing over depends upon the distance between the two genes, the phenomenon is used for preparing linkage chromosome maps.
(iv) It has proved that genes lie in a linear fashion in the chromosome.
(v) Breeders have to select small or large population for obtaining the required cross-overs. For obtaining corss-overs between closely linked genes, a very large population i s required.
(vi) Useful rrecombinations produced by crossing over are picked up by breeders to produce useful new varieties of crop plants and animals. Green revolution has been achieved in India due to this delective pickng up of useful recombinations. Operation flood or white revolution is also being carried out on the similar lines.