Crossing over may result in:

Options

A. Addition of genetic material
B. Deletion of genetic material
C. Exchange of genetic material
D. All of these

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Crossing Over:**
- Crossing over occurs during meiosis, specifically in prophase I, where homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange segments of their genetic material.
- This process is crucial for genetic diversity in gametes.

2. **Analyzing the Options:**
- **Option 1: Addition of genetic material**
- This is incorrect. Crossing over does not add genetic material; it merely rearranges existing genetic material between homologous chromosomes.

- **Option 2: Deletion of genetic material**
- This is also incorrect. Deletion refers to the loss of genetic material, which is not a result of crossing over. Instead, it is associated with mutations.

- **Option 3: Exchange of genetic material**
- This is correct. Crossing over results in the exchange of segments between non-sister chromatids, leading to genetic recombination.

- **Option 4: All of these**
- This option is incorrect because not all the previous statements are true.

3. **Conclusion:**
- The correct answer is that crossing over may result in the **exchange of genetic material**.