Question

One genetic map unit (cM) is equal to a recombination frequency of _____.

a. 1 %
b. 0.1 %
c. 10 %
d. 50 %

Answer 1

One genetic map unit (cM) is equivalent to a recombination frequency of 1%. This unit measures the genetic distance between genes on a chromosome, reflecting the likelihood of recombination in offspring.

Step-by-step explanation:

One genetic map unit (cM) is equal to a recombination frequency of 1%. When Alfred Sturtevant created the genetic map, he established that the recombination frequency between genes reflects their relative distances on a chromosome. A recombination frequency of 1%, or 0.01, corresponds to a genetic distance of 1 cM. This means that if we observe a 1% recombination frequency between two genes, they are considered to be 1 cM apart on the genetic map. For larger recombination frequencies, such as a 17% recombination frequency observed between genes for fruit fly wing length and body color, the genes would be 17 cM apart on the map.