Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Integrated Science (024) Practice Exam

Which term describes genes that are inherited together due to their proximity on a chromosome?

1. Gene independence

2. Gene linkage

3. Gene mutation

4. Gene recombination

The correct answer is: Gene linkage

Gene linkage refers to the phenomenon where genes that are located close to each other on the same chromosome tend to be inherited together during the process of meiosis. This occurs because the likelihood of these genes being separated by recombination during genetic crossing over is reduced when they are physically close. The term emphasizes the relationship between the genes and their proximity on the chromosome, which results in them being passed down as a unit more frequently than genes that are farther apart. This concept is crucial in genetics as it helps explain inheritance patterns for traits that are controlled by multiple genes, and it is foundational for understanding concepts such as genetic mapping and the study of heredity. By contrast, the other terms do not accurately describe this specific genetic phenomenon. Gene independence refers to the idea that the inheritance of one gene does not affect the inheritance of another when they are on different chromosomes or are far apart on the same chromosome. Gene mutation involves changes to the DNA sequence, which can affect the function of a gene but does not relate to how genes are inherited together. Gene recombination is the process of exchanging genetic material during meiosis, which may separate linked genes rather than describe their tendency to be inherited together.