What is the term for genes that are on the same chromosome but can be separated by crossing over?

What is the term for genes that are on the same chromosome but can be separated by crossing over?

• A. Independent genes
• B. Recessive genes
• C. Linked genes
• D. Dominant genes

Answer: (C)

Genes on the same chromosome can be inherited together because they are physically connected; this is called genetic linkage. Crossing over during meiosis can swap segments between homologous chromosomes, which can separate these linked genes and create new allele combinations in the gametes. Because crossing over happens less often between genes that are close together, linked genes are usually transmitted as a unit, though they can be separated enough to produce recombinant types when crossing over occurs. If two genes are far apart or on different chromosomes, crossing over results in independent assortment, yielding about 50% recombination and behaving as if unlinked. The term for this situation is linked genes.

Genes on the same chromosome can be inherited together because they are physically connected; this is called genetic linkage. Crossing over during meiosis can swap segments between homologous chromosomes, which can separate these linked genes and create new allele combinations in the gametes. Because crossing over happens less often between genes that are close together, linked genes are usually transmitted as a unit, though they can be separated enough to produce recombinant types when crossing over occurs. If two genes are far apart or on different chromosomes, crossing over results in independent assortment, yielding about 50% recombination and behaving as if unlinked. The term for this situation is linked genes.