Final answer:
Linked genes are separated by crossing over during meiosis, which allows for the recombination of alleles on the same chromosome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Linked genes can be separated by crossing over. This biological process occurs during meiosis I when two homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material. It allows alleles for linked genes that are located close to each other on the same chromosome to be inherited separately. Gene linkage and recombination are crucial concepts in understanding genetic inheritance patterns. While linkage refers to genes that are physically close to each other on a chromosome and therefore likely to be inherited together, recombination, or crossing over, can disrupt this tendency and ensure genes behave independently.