Final answer:
The region is identified as a recombination hotspot because genetic maps, which are based on the frequency of recombination, show a greater distance between genes compared to physical maps that measure actual distances. Hotspots have a high frequency of genetic recombination, affecting the genetic map observations.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the distance between two genes is greater on a genetic map than on a physical map, this suggests the region is a recombination hotspot. This discrepancy occurs because genetic maps are based on recombination frequencies, and areas with higher recombination rates seem more distant on genetic maps compared to physical maps that measure actual physical distances between genes. Geneticists have constructed genetic maps to show the linkage and distance between genes, which are especially useful for predicting the outcomes of genetic crosses.
Recombination hotspots are areas in the genome where crossovers between chromosomes occur with high frequency during meiosis. This high level of recombination can shuffle the alleles between homologous chromosomes creating recombinant gametes, which have different allele combinations compared to the parental chromosomes, thus increasing genetic diversity. On the contrary, regions with low recombination rates are known as recombination coldspots. Moreover, the closer the genes are on a chromosome, the more likely they are to be inherited together, exhibiting genetic linkage. As the distance between two genes increases, the probability of crossovers between them also increases, making their inheritance patterns resemble those of unlinked genes on separate chromosomes.