Final answer:
Without actual recombination frequency data for the loci a, b, c, d, e, f, and g, the exact answers to the number of linkage groups, loci linked to "a", and the distance between b and e cannot be determined. Hypothetically, if loci "b" and "e" had a 5% recombination frequency, they would be 5 cM apart.
Step-by-step explanation:
The number of different linkage groups among the seven loci (a, b, c, d, e, f, and g) can be determined by closely examining the recombination frequencies between each pair of loci. Recombination frequencies that are significantly less than 50 percent indicate linkage. If all loci have recombination frequencies less than 50 percent with at least one other, they are all part of one linkage group. For the loci linked to locus "a", one would need to examine the specific recombination frequencies between "a" and the other loci to determine linkage. To find the distance between b and e, we would use the recombination frequency between these loci, converting this percentage into map units (centimorgans).
In the absence of actual recombination frequency data for these specific crosses, a definitive answer cannot be provided for the questions on linkage groups and the distance between b and e. However, if we hypothetically consider that loci "b" and "e" have a 5 percent recombination frequency, they would be 5 centimorgans apart.