15.1.2
Linked Genes
Linked Genes
Linked Genes
Linkage is when genes that are close to one another on a chromosome are likely to be inherited together. Linkage shows that some allele combinations are not inherited independently of each other.


Mendel's law
Mendel's law
- Mendel's law of independent assortment states that genes do not influence the sorting of alleles into gametes. This is not always the case.
- Some allele combinations are not inherited independently of each other.
- Genes that are located close to each other on the same chromosome are more likely to be inherited as a pair.
- This is called linkage.


Autosomes
Autosomes
- Autosomes are all the chromosomes except the sex chromosomes (X and Y).
- Autosomes are arranged in pairs called homologous chromosomes.
- Homologous chromosomes consist of the same genes in the same order along the chromosome.
- There is some variation if the chromosomes have different alleles but the genes are the same.


Recombination
Recombination
- When gametes are produced by meiosis, multiple sections of homologous chromosomes are exchanged in a process called recombination.
- If two genes are located in close proximity on the same chromosome, they are more likely to be exchanged together and not separated in recombination.
- The genes are more likely to be transmitted to a gamete together.


Linkage
Linkage
- Genes that are close together on the same autosome are more likely to be transmitted to a gamete together.
- The genes are linked. This is autosomal linkage.


Linked genes - example
Linked genes - example
- Imagine a dihybrid cross involving flower color and plant height in which the genes are next to each other on the chromosome.
- If one homologous chromosome has alleles for tall plants and red flowers, and the other chromosome has genes for short plants and yellow flowers, then when the gametes are formed:
- The tall and red alleles will go together into a gamete.
- The short and yellow alleles will go into other gametes.
- These are called the parental genotypes because they have been inherited intact from the parents of the individual producing gametes.


Linked genes - example 2
Linked genes - example 2
- However, unlike if the genes were on different chromosomes, there will be no gametes with tall and yellow alleles and no gametes with short and red alleles.
- If you create the Punnett square with these gametes, you will see that the Mendelian prediction of a 9:3:3:1 outcome of a dihybrid cross would not apply.
- As the distance between two genes increases, the probability of one or more crossovers between them increases, and the genes behave more like they are on separate chromosomes.


Linked genes and distances
Linked genes and distances
- Geneticists have used the proportion of recombinant gametes (the ones not like the parents) as a measure of how far apart genes are on a chromosome.
- Using this information, they have constructed elaborate maps of genes on chromosomes for well-studied organisms, including humans.
1Unity & Diversity - Molecules
1.1Water
1.2DNA Structure & Replication
1.3Transcription & Gene Expression
2Unity & Diversity - Cells
2.1The Origin of Cells
2.2Introduction to Cells
2.3Ultrastructure of Cells
2.4Cell Division
2.5Structure of DNA & RNA
2.6DNA Replication, Transcription & Translation
2.7Cell Respiration
2.8Photosynthesis
2.9Viruses
3Unity & Diversity - Organisms
3.1Diversity of Organisms
3.2Evidence for Evolution
4Unity & Diversity - Ecosystems
4.1Classification
4.3Evolution & Speciation
4.3.1Evidence for Evolution - Fossils & DNA
4.3.2Evidence for Evolution - Anatomy & Geography
4.3.3IB Multiple Choice - Evidence for Evolution
4.3.4Extended Response - DNA & Evolution
4.3.5Populations
4.3.6Mutations, Genetic Drift, & Gene Flow
4.3.7Speciation
4.3.8Rate of Speciation
4.3.9Allopatric & Sympatric Speciation
4.4Conservation of Biodiversity
5Form & Function - Molecules
6Form & Function - Cells
6.1Membranes & Membrane Transport
6.2Organelles & Compartmentalization
6.3Cell Specialization
7Form & Function - Organisms
7.2Transport
7.3Muscle & Motility
8Form & Function - Ecosystems
8.1Species, Communities & Ecosytems
8.3Carbon Cycle
9Interaction & Interdependence - Molecules
9.1Enzymes
9.2Metabolism
9.3Cell Respiration
10Interaction & Interdependence - Cells
10.1Chemical Signalling
10.2Neural Signalling
10.3Adaptation to Environment
10.4Ecological Niches
11Interaction & Interdependence - Organisms
11.1Integration of Body Systems
12Interaction & Interdependence - Ecosystems
12.1Populations & Communities
12.2Transfers of Energy & Matter
13Continuity & Change - Molecules
13.1DNA Replication
13.2Protein Synthesis
14Continuity & Change - Cells
15Continuity & Change - Organisms
15.1Inheritance
15.1.1Non-Nuclear Inheritance
15.1.2Linked Genes
15.1.3IB Multiple Choice - Non-Mendelian Genetics
15.1.4Extended Response - Inheritance
15.1.5Introduction to Non-Mendelian Inheritance
15.1.6Chi-Squared Test
15.1.7End of Topic Quiz - Inheritance
15.1.8Sex-Linked Genes
15.1.9Grade 4-5 (Scientific Practices) - Inheritance
16Continuity & Change - Ecosystems
16.1Natural Selection
16.2Stability & Change
Jump to other topics
1Unity & Diversity - Molecules
1.1Water
1.2DNA Structure & Replication
1.3Transcription & Gene Expression
2Unity & Diversity - Cells
2.1The Origin of Cells
2.2Introduction to Cells
2.3Ultrastructure of Cells
2.4Cell Division
2.5Structure of DNA & RNA
2.6DNA Replication, Transcription & Translation
2.7Cell Respiration
2.8Photosynthesis
2.9Viruses
3Unity & Diversity - Organisms
3.1Diversity of Organisms
3.2Evidence for Evolution
4Unity & Diversity - Ecosystems
4.1Classification
4.3Evolution & Speciation
4.3.1Evidence for Evolution - Fossils & DNA
4.3.2Evidence for Evolution - Anatomy & Geography
4.3.3IB Multiple Choice - Evidence for Evolution
4.3.4Extended Response - DNA & Evolution
4.3.5Populations
4.3.6Mutations, Genetic Drift, & Gene Flow
4.3.7Speciation
4.3.8Rate of Speciation
4.3.9Allopatric & Sympatric Speciation
4.4Conservation of Biodiversity
5Form & Function - Molecules
6Form & Function - Cells
6.1Membranes & Membrane Transport
6.2Organelles & Compartmentalization
6.3Cell Specialization
7Form & Function - Organisms
7.2Transport
7.3Muscle & Motility
8Form & Function - Ecosystems
8.1Species, Communities & Ecosytems
8.3Carbon Cycle
9Interaction & Interdependence - Molecules
9.1Enzymes
9.2Metabolism
9.3Cell Respiration
10Interaction & Interdependence - Cells
10.1Chemical Signalling
10.2Neural Signalling
10.3Adaptation to Environment
10.4Ecological Niches
11Interaction & Interdependence - Organisms
11.1Integration of Body Systems
12Interaction & Interdependence - Ecosystems
12.1Populations & Communities
12.2Transfers of Energy & Matter
13Continuity & Change - Molecules
13.1DNA Replication
13.2Protein Synthesis
14Continuity & Change - Cells
15Continuity & Change - Organisms
15.1Inheritance
15.1.1Non-Nuclear Inheritance
15.1.2Linked Genes
15.1.3IB Multiple Choice - Non-Mendelian Genetics
15.1.4Extended Response - Inheritance
15.1.5Introduction to Non-Mendelian Inheritance
15.1.6Chi-Squared Test
15.1.7End of Topic Quiz - Inheritance
15.1.8Sex-Linked Genes
15.1.9Grade 4-5 (Scientific Practices) - Inheritance
16Continuity & Change - Ecosystems
16.1Natural Selection
16.2Stability & Change
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