Moderate

In mendalism, The linkage was not observed due to:

Correct answer: D. All of these

  • A. Synapse
  • B. Crossing over
  • C. Independent assortment
  • D. All of these

Explanation

Option D is correct. Yes, the linkage was not observed in Mendelism due to independent assortment. Independent assortment is the principle that genes on different chromosomes are inherited independently of each other. This means that the alleles of one gene do not affect the segregation of the alleles of another gene. Mendel's experiments were conducted with pea plants, which have seven chromosomes. The genes that he studied were located on different chromosomes, so they were inherited independently of each other. This is why Mendel did not observe linkage in his experiments. Crossing over is a process that occurs during meiosis, the process by which gametes are produced. During crossing over, homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material. This can result in the offspring inheriting different combinations of alleles from their parents. In Mendel's experiments, he crossed pure-breeding plants that differed in two traits. He observed that the traits segregated independently of each other, meaning that the offspring did not inherit the same combination of traits as their parents. This was unexpected at the time because it was thought that genes were linked together on chromosomes and that they would always be inherited together. However, Mendel's results could be explained by crossing over. Linkage was not observed in Mendelism because of the synapse. Synapse is the physical union of homologous chromosomes during meiosis. During synapsis, the chromosomes pair up and exchange genetic material. This process is necessary for the production of gametes that are genetically different from the parents. Mendel's experiments were conducted on pea plants, which have seven pairs of chromosomes. Mendel crossed pea plants that differed in two traits, such as seed color (yellow versus green) and flower color (purple versus white). He found that the offspring of these crosses showed a 3:1 phenotypic ratio for each trait.

Last updated

About Inheritance

Mendel's laws explain segregation, independent assortment and the prediction of genetic ratios using alleles, genotypes and phenotypes. The chapter also covers linked genes, recombination and crossing over during meiosis, then applies pedigree reasoning to X-linked recessive traits, which show different inheritance patterns in males and females.

Practise Inheritance

1,238 free Inheritance MCQs from Biology, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Exams that ask Biology questions like this

Biology is on 6 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

Related questions