Current Stage

Interphase

The parent cell has 46 chromosomes (23 pairs). DNA has already been replicated. Each chromosome now consists of two sister chromatids.

8,388,608
Possible Gamete Combinations
(2^23 = 8+ million!)

Sources of Variation

1. Independent Assortment: Chromosome pairs line up randomly during Metaphase I

2. Crossing Over: Homologous chromosomes exchange DNA segments during Prophase I

These two processes create trillions of possible genetic combinations!