A conceptualization of general genetic recombination of newly replicated DNA during meiosis. An endonuclease nicks one strand of each of the two daughter duplexes at homologous sites which permits them to cross-over before being ligated. Branch migration of the crossing-over point, the Holliday junction, along the strands is also possible before they separate to form the recombinant products; chi-forms (χ-shaped structures) are generated as the strands separate. In replication of closed circular (cc)DNA, figure-of-eight forms are generated as the two daughter ccDNAs separate, except where they have crossed-over and still adhere to each other.