GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology : Help with Linkage

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Help With Linkage

What does it mean to say that two genes are linked?

Possible Answers:

The genes overlap one another 

The genes almost always segregate together during meiosis

The genes share a promoter

The genes code for the same mRNA

Correct answer:

The genes almost always segregate together during meiosis

Explanation:

Genetic linkages are determined by frequencies of recombination. These are measures of how often chromosomal crossovers will take place between two genes. The closer the loci of the two genes are on a chromosome, the less likely a crossover event will separate the two genes. If the recombination frequencies are sufficiently low, the genes are considered to be linked.

Genetic linkage has nothing to do with genes coding for the same mRNA, sharing a promoter, or overlapping one another. Linked genes still code for distinctly separate traits/proteins and have different loci (don't overlap).

All GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Resources

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