Final answer:
The linkage scores from multiple families are averaged to combine the results.
Step-by-step explanation:
The linkage scores from multiple families are typically averaged to combine the results. Linkage scores are a measure of the likelihood that two genes are located close to each other on a chromosome. By averaging the linkage scores from multiple families, the overall result is a more reliable estimate of the true linkage relationship between the genes.
For example, let's say we have two families with linkage scores of 0.2 and 0.3, and another family with a score of 0.4. To combine these scores, we add them up and divide by the number of families (3 in this case). So, (0.2 + 0.3 + 0.4) ÷ 3 = 0.3. Therefore, the combined linkage score is 0.3.