Final answer:
Genetic maps are created through linkage analysis, which analyzes the recombination frequency between genes to determine if they are linked. By studying the inheritance of a particular segment of the genome in conjunction with a trait of interest, gene mapping can be achieved.
Step-by-step explanation:
Genetic maps are created through linkage analysis, a procedure that analyzes the recombination frequency between genes to determine if they are linked or show independent assortment. Early geneticists observed that different traits were often inherited together, leading to the deduction that these genes were physically linked on the same chromosome. By studying the inheritance of a particular segment of the genome in conjunction with a trait of interest, gene mapping can be achieved through linkage analysis.