 Chromosomal inversion

A chromosomal inversion reverses the orientation of a chromosome segment relative to its flanking sequence. Breakage and rejoining can change gene regulation at the boundaries even when the segment retains the same genes. In an individual carrying different orientations, crossing over within the inverted region can produce unbalanced products, reducing recovery of recombinant descendants. An inversion therefore affects inheritance as well as the visual order of chromosomal markers. ^[ref]