Summary:
- Genes that are located on the same chromosome are called linked genes.
- Alleles for these genes tend to segregate together during meiosis.
- Crossing-over occurs when two homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material.
- The closer together two genes are on a chromosome, the less likely their alleles will be separated by crossing-over.
- Linkage explains why certain characteristics are frequently inherited together.
- For example, genes for hair color and eye color are linked.
- Certain hair and eye colors tend to be inherited together, such as blonde hair with blue eyes and brown hair with brown eyes.