Final answer:
Linkage refers to the proximity of alleles on the same chromosome, leading them to be inherited together, influencing genetic inheritance patterns and affecting the genotype and phenotype of individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to a combination of alleles or a set of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found on the same chromosome is known as linkage. This linkage phenomenon indicates that alleles in close proximity are more likely to be inherited together due to their physical connection on the chromosome. The concept of linkage is crucial in understanding how certain genetic traits and variations are passed from parents to offspring.
When these linked alleles undergo meiosis, they typically segregate together unless crossing-over occurs. Crossing-over can separate the alleles if it takes place between their locations on the homologous chromosomes. Moreover, linkage can have significant implications for genetic inheritance patterns, such as in monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, where linked alleles do not assort independently, thus altering the expected phenotypic ratios.
The study of linkage also aids in the construction of linkage maps, which represent the arrangement of genes on a chromosome, providing insights into the genetic topology of species, including humans. Ultimately, the genotype of an individual is greatly influenced by the linkage of alleles that determine the observable characteristics, or phenotype.