Final answer:
The distance between two genes on a linkage map is equivalent to the recombination frequency. Since 1% recombination equals 1 centimorgan, a recombination frequency of 5.3% indicates the genes are 5.3 cM apart.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the recombination frequency between genes (A) and (B) is 5.3%, this means that on a linkage map, the distance between the two genes is directly equivalent to the recombination frequency. In genetic mapping, 1% recombination frequency is equivalent to 1 centimorgan (cM).
Therefore, if the recombination frequency is 5.3%, the distance between the genes in map units on the linkage map is 5.3 cM. The correct answer to the question is a) 5.3 cM.