Question

Shown below is a map of five genes, E, L, V, I, and S, on a chromosome. The map units between each gene are shown (map units are a measure of the distance between two genes on a chromosome). Which of the following pairs would have the highest frequency of recombination?

E----5----L-2-V-------10-------I--------------20---------------S
O VI; ES: LV; EL
O ES; LV: EL; VS
O EL; IS: LV: VI
O LV: EL: EI: ES
O EL: VI: IS: LV

Answer 1

Pairs of genes that are farthest apart on the chromosome would have the highest recombination frequency, as genetic distance correlates with recombination likelihood. However, without the precise map, the answer cannot be determined, and as the distance approaches 50 centimorgans, prediction accuracy diminishes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is related to genetics and specifically to the concept of genetic linkage and recombination frequency. To determine which gene pairs would have the highest recombination frequency, we should look for the gene pairs that are the farthest apart on the chromosome, as the distance in centimorgans (cM) correlates with recombination frequency.

Without the specific map the student described, we can apply the provided principles. Higher recombination frequency occurs between genes that are far apart. For example, if genes A and E are on opposite ends of a chromosome with a distance of 50 cM between them, they would have a higher recombination frequency than genes B and C that might only be 10 cM apart. Therefore, genes A and E would segregate independently more often, resulting in greater variation in the offspring.

Sturtevant's principle helps in predicting that the pairs of genes with the greatest distance between them will show the highest recombination frequency. However, it's essential to keep in mind that when the recombination frequency approaches 50%, the accuracy decreases as it becomes unclear whether genes are very far apart on the same chromosome or on different chromosomes.