Final answer:
The correct recombination frequency based on the experiment described cannot be 60%, as the predicted frequency of recombinant offspring can only range from 0% to 50%. Thomas Morgan observed a recombination frequency of 17% for certain fruit fly genes, which suggests they are linked but can still crossover.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the experiment described, the correct recombination frequency cannot be 60%. This is because the predicted frequency of recombinant offspring ranges from 0% to 50%. The recombination frequency is a measure of the likelihood of a crossover event between two genes on the same chromosome during meiosis. If the recombination frequency between two genes is less than 50 percent, these genes are considered linked. Recombination frequencies that are very low, such as 0%, indicate very tight linkage and adherence to the law of independent assortment, while a frequency of 50% indicates that the loci are unlinked or behave as if they are located on different chromosomes.
In the historical experiment by Thomas Morgan in 1912, the actual recombination frequency observed for fruit fly wing length and body color was 17%. This percentage falls within the expected range, as it is less than 50%, and suggests that while the genes are linked, they are far enough apart on the chromosome to allow for occasional crossovers to occur.