Final answer:
A recessive gene will only exhibit its effects when paired with an identical gene on the homologous chromosome. Traits associated with recessive genes require two copies of the recessive allele to be expressed. Linked genes on the same chromosome are typically inherited together unless crossing-over occurs during meiosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
A recessive gene will have its effects only when it is paired with a similar gene on the other chromosome. When you receive one copy of a gene, known as an allele, from each parent, these alleles may differ. For instance, if an allele for dimples is inherited from one parent and the allele for smooth skin comes from the other parent, the physical trait of having dimples will only be expressed if both inherited alleles code for dimples. This occurrence reflects the underlying principles of Mendelian genetics, where for a recessive trait to be expressed, an individual must have two recessive alleles, since a dominant allele would mask the presence of a recessive allele.
In cases where two genes are located on the same chromosome, they are referred to as linked genes. Their alleles are more likely to be inherited together during meiosis except when crossing-over occurs, which can separate linked alleles if they are not in close proximity on the chromosome. The likelihood of crossing-over is related to the distance between the two genes; closer genes are less likely to be separated. As such, geneticists have been able to create linkage maps that show the positions of genes on chromosomes based on the frequency of recombination events.