Linkage Flashcards
Concept of genetic linkage
Genes on the same chromosome should segregate together. They are physically linked, so they should theoretically be inherited as a single unit.
This isn’t true in practice due to crossing over.
Linked genes
genes on the same chromosome; segregate together
linkage can be complete or incomplete
Cause of incomplete linkage
recombination of the alleles on a chromosome can ‘break’ the linkage between two genes
an unexpected allele is inherited at a loci that crossed over
two genes exist between a single homologous pair, and no crossing over occurs
two parental gametes, representing the two gene copies on homologous chromosomes
genes are inherited together on the chromosome
Complete linkage
genes are too close to be separated by crossing over, so they are always inherited together
crossing over unlikely to be detected
produces only parental gametes in equal proportions
Parental gametes
a gamete that hasn’t undergone recombination; contains parental genotypes
two genes exist between a single homologous pair, and crossing over occurs
four different gametes
- two recombinant chromatids
- two parental chromatids
Frequency of crossing over between two linked genes
proportional to the distance separating the loci along the chromosome
crossing over is equally likely to happen anywhere along the chromosomal length
far apart = more
closer together = less
FREQUENCY genes far apart
Wider length to work with
more crossovers able to happen in this length
higher frequency of crossovers, and thus of recombinant gametes
FREQUENCY genes close together
Very narrow length to work with
fewer crossovers likely to happen in this length
lower frequency of crossovers, and higher proportion of parental gametes
FREQUENCY loci very far apart
the number of recombinant gametes reaches 50%
With 50%, a 1:1:1:1 ratio of the four gametal types occurs (two parental and two recombinant)
transmission of these linked genes is indistinguishable from that of two unlinked genes
Linked gene designations
Each set above the line is one homolog, and below the line is the other homolog.
In the above example, P1 is a cross between two homozygotes for both traits.
Linkage ratio
For two heterozygotes for completely linked genes and the same chromosomal arrangement: 1:2:1
These heterozygotes are the F1 of truebreeding AB/AB and ab/ab, or etc
Interpret linked gene designation
parent 1 has hv+ bw / hv+ bw
parent 2 has hv bw+ / hv bw+
With a large number of mutant genes investigated, what can be done?
genes located on the same chromosome show evidence of linkage
“linkage groups” can be established for each chromosome
Linkage groups
group of linked genes that are located on the same chromosome
number of linkage groups corresponds to haploid # of chromosomes
Concept behind genetic mapping
When investigating two genes on the same chromosome, the percentage of recombinant gametes depends on the distance between the two genes on the chromosome
This can be used to produce maps of loci on a chromosome
Genetic maps show linear order and relative distances between gene loci on a chromosome
Morgan’s discoveries with X-linked genes
Crossing over leads to recombinant gametes, causing unique phenotypes
Linked genes exist in a linear order along the chromosome
Distance between genes relates to recombination frequency
How to “map” genetic sequence using frequencies
recombination frequencies between linked genes are additive
Yellow-white are very close together, as they have a low frequency of recombination.
White-miniature are apparently far apart, due to their high frequency.
Yellow-miniature are farther apart than white-miniature.
Because W-M < Y-M, W-M must be between these two genes.
Map unit
Distance between genes
1 map unit (mu) = 1% recombination between 2 genes
Recombination %
number recombinant offspring / total # of offspring
Practical use of single crossovers
used to determine the distance between two linked genes
How can genes be incompletely linked?
recombination of the alleles on a chromosome can ‘break’ the linkage between two genes
an unexpected allele is inherited at a loci that crossed over