Final answer:
Genetic recombination during meiosis involves crossover between chromosomes and occurs more frequently when genes are farther apart. Recombination frequency is used to calculate genetic distances in map units or centimorgans, contributing to the construction of genetic maps for predicting trait inheritance patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phenomenon being described in the question is genetic recombination, specifically crossover during meiosis. This process always happens between chromosomes, and the frequency of recombination between two specific genes depends largely on the distance between them. Recombination frequency is higher when genes are further apart because there is a greater likelihood for crossing over to occur in the larger chromosomal space separating them. This relationship is used to construct genetic maps, which involve calculating recombination frequencies to determine the relative distances between genes on a chromosome, allowing geneticists to predict how often alleles may be inherited together or separately.
For example, if the recombination frequency between gene A and gene B is calculated to be 5%, which would equal 5 map units or centimorgans (cM), it indicates that while the genes are linked, they are far enough apart for crossovers to occur occasionally. Furthermore, recombination can lead to nonparental gametes, which helps geneticists evaluate the physical distances between genes on a chromosome. Maps built from this data provide insight into genetic linkage and the probability of inheriting different combinations of traits.