Q. Which of the following statements is not true of two genes that show 50% recombination frequency?
(a) The genes are tightly linked.
(b) The genes show independent assortment.
(c) If the genes are present on the same chromosome, they undergo more than one crossovers in every meiosis.
(d) The genes may be on different chromosomes.
Solution :
Correct option : A The genes that are located close to each other on a chromosome are called linked genes. The tendency of the linked genes to be inherited together is called genetic linkage. The genes that are close to each other have a tendency to be more linked than those that are farther. The more the linkage lesser will be the recombination frequency and vice a versa. Hence linkage decreases the frequency of the hybrid. A recombinant frequency of 50 percent means that the genes are present on the same chromosome but are widely separated hence they may have undergone more than one crossovers in every meiosis. They may also be unlinked due to their presence on separate chromosomes. These genes show independent assortment. Thus the correct answer is option A.