How does crossover of linked genes affect the role in evolution?
2007-01-24 19:11:43 · 3 answers · asked by Rubyx 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
crossing over produces unlimited possibilities in an organisms genotype. this creates great genetic diversity in evoluiton.
2007-01-25 10:13:05 · answer #1 · answered by wesnaw1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure I understand your question completely, but:
Linked genes are genes that encode for different characteristics that are often inherited together (usually because they're next to one another on the chromosome). As a result, if one gene is chosen by natural selection, the other is inherited as well, even if the second gene is not necessarily an improvement. The problem arises when one of the genes is beneficial and the other is harmful, at which point the lesser of the two evils is chosen, sometimes eliminating useful mutations because of their association with a negative side effect.
2007-01-25 09:52:49 · answer #2 · answered by timemutt 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In general, crossing over of linked genes creates diversity of genetic makeup in the pool of genes thus supporting evolution. If crossing over didn't occur, the pool of genes is limited, and in turn the species is vulnerable to extinction in the long run if the environment changes and the specie cannot survive in these circumstances...
2007-01-25 03:22:45 · answer #3 · answered by answers 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋