Chapter 10 -3

NWRC
Bio 30
Gene Linkage and Polyploidy
• except for identical twins, no
two people look exactly
alike. While genes
determine most of our
physical characteristics, the
exact combination of genes
we inherit, and thus our
physical traits, is in part due
to a process our
chromosomes undergo,
known as genetic
recombination.
Genetic recombination
• Genetic
recombination
happens during
meiosis, a special
type of cell division
that occurs during
formation of sperm
and egg cells and
gives them the correct
number of
chromosomes.
Genetic recombination
• Inside the cells that
produce sperm and eggs,
chromosomes become
paired. While they are
pressed together, the
chromosomes may break,
and each may swap a
portion of its genetic
material for the matching
portion from its mate.
This form of
recombination is called
crossing-over. .
 Gene Linkage
• refers to the association of two or more
phenotypic characters in inheritance
because the genes controlling these
characters are located in the same
chromosome. Genes carried by the same
chromosome are members of the same
linkage group; the number of linkage
groups corresponds, therefore, to the
basic number of chromosomes in the
organism in question.
 Gene Linkage
• Genes that are linked
generally travel
together during
gamete formation and
are an exception to
Mendel’s Law of
Independent
assortment.
Polyploidy
• Condition in which a
cell or organism has
more than two
complete sets of
chromosomes.
Humans have two
sets, 2 x 23 (46)
chromosomes, while
wheat, for example,
has 6 sets, 6 x 7 (42)
chromosomes.
 Assessment
• 1
When genes are exchanged on the
chromosome genetic variation occurs
• 2.
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• 3.Possibly to create bigger flowers, larger

yields, bigger fruits etc.