Genes Show Linkage When They

Question

Genes show linkage when they
A) are inherited together.
B) are found on different chromosomes.
C) they code for the same protein.
D) have been cloned.
E) All of these are correct.

Accepted Answer

Genes show linkage when they are inherited together on the same chromosome. This is because the closer two genes are on a chromosome, the less likely they are to be separated during meiosis and therefore the more likely they are to be inherited together. If two genes are found on different chromosomes, they will assort independently and their inheritance will not be linked. The other choices are not correct: genes can show linkage even if they do not code for the same protein, and cloning genes does not affect their linkage.