what is the difference between a linkage group and chromosome?

Question

In what perspective people use these terms? For example in some species they just refer as linkage groups instead of chromosomes. If that species doesn't have complete genetic maps, can we refer a specific region/ a gene of that species to a particular linkage group instead of chromosome? Please express your views.

Answer 1

This is NOT an easy question.

Linkage Group: "the group of genes having their loci on the same chromosome".

Chromosome (eukaryotic): "one of the threadlike structures consisting of chromatin and carrying genetic information arranged in a linear sequence".

So, it looks like a linkage group refers only to the genes (the DNA code and its double helix) on a chromosome, whereas a chromosome includes the entire structure of DNA (genes) and their related proteins , i.e. chromatin.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.