What is the Difference Between Linkage and Crossing Over?

Linkage and crossing over are two related but distinct phenomena occurring in eukaryotic organisms. Here are the main differences between them:

Linkage:

• Linkage is the tendency of genes to stay together in a chromosome during inheritance.
• It occurs when two genes are closer to each other on the same chromosome.
• Linkage ensures the continuity of parental traits in offspring.
• The strength of linkage between two genes is inversely proportional to the distance between them in the chromosome.

Crossing Over:

• Crossing over is the process where the genetic material gets exchanged in the germline.
• It occurs when two genes on the same chromosome split into multiple gametes, leading to genetic recombination.
• Crossing over enables the separation of genes in a chromosome and separates them into various gametes.
• The probability of two genes crossing over is directly proportional to the distance between them in the chromosome.

In summary, linkage and crossing over are two different processes that play important roles in heredity. Linkage ensures that genes stay together in a chromosome during inheritance, while crossing over enables the separation of genes and leads to genetic recombination.

Comparative Table: Linkage vs Crossing Over

Here is a table comparing linkage and crossing over:

Linkage is a phenomenon where genes located close to each other on a chromosome tend to be inherited together, while crossing over is a process that separates genes located far apart on a chromosome, allowing them to recombine and create new genetic combinations.