Conjugation in Paramecium: a sexual process that yields genetic recombination.

1. Meiosis of micronucleus produces 4 haploid micronuclei.
2. Three micronuclei disintegrate; the remaining one divides by mitosis.
3. The cells exchange one micronucleus; micronuclei then fuse, becoming diploid.
4. Three rounds of mitosis without cytokinesis produce eight micronuclei.
5. The original macronucleus disintegrates. Four micronuclei become macronuclei.
6. Two rounds of cytokinesis partition one macronucleus and one micronucleus into each of 4 daughter cells.