Why are linked genes often inherited together?

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Question restatement: Why are linked genes often inherited together?

Option 1: Linked genes physically interact with one another during meiosis. This is not the reason they are inherited together; physical interaction during meiosis is not what causes shared inheritance. The phenomenon stems from their chromosomal proximity, not from a direct interaction.

Option 2: Linked genes are on different chromosomes that do not assort independently. If genes were on different chromosomes, they would assort independently according to Mendel's law of independent assortment, so this statement contradicts the idea of linkage and is incorrect.

Option 3: Linked genes are both on the long arm of different chromosomes. Being on different chromosomes would typically result in independent assortment as well, so this description mislabels the concept of linkage and is inaccurate.

Option 4: Linked genes cannot recombine during prophase I of meiosis. Recombination can occur between linked genes during crossing over, albeit less frequently when they are close together; it is not accurate to say they cannot recombine at all, so this option is an overgeneralization and false.

Option 5: Linked genes are close together on the same chromosome. This option captures the core idea: genes that are physically near each other on the same chromosome tend to be inherited together because recombination between them is less likely, especially if they are very close, leading to co-segregation.

Overall, the reasoning hinges on chromosomal proximity and inheritance patterns governed by linkage rather than independent assortment or absence of recombination. The accurate statement aligns with the principle that linkage arises from two genes residing near one another on the same chromosome, influencing their co-inheritance.

01:447:380:17 GENETICS Week 10- In Person problem set_Fa25

Why are linked genes often inherited together?

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