Question

Linkage and crossing-over of genes are alternative of each other. Justify with the help of an example.

Answer 1

Genetic linkage is the tendency of alleles that are close together on a chromosome to be inherited together during the meiosis phase of sexual reproduction.

Crossing over involves the mutual exchange of segments of genetic material between non-sister chromatids of two homologous chromosomes so as to produce recombinants or a new combination of genes.

Thus, they are alternatives of one another i.e., if linkage is present in between genes, no crossing over occurs between them and if crossing over between two genes occurs then they are not linked.