You design Drosophila crosses to provide recombination data for gene a, which is located on the chromosome shown in Figure 15.12. Gene a has recombination frequencies of 14% with the vestigial wing locus and 26% with the brown eye locus. Approximately where is a located along the chromosome?
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Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that recombination frequency is a measure of genetic linkage and is used to estimate the distance between genes on a chromosome. It is expressed as a percentage, where 1% recombination frequency is equivalent to 1 map unit (centimorgan).
2. Identify the recombination frequencies given in the problem: 14% with the vestigial wing locus and 26% with the brown eye locus. These frequencies suggest the relative distances between gene a and the other two loci on the chromosome.
3. Visualize the chromosome as a linear map where each locus is positioned based on recombination frequencies. The vestigial wing locus and the brown eye locus are reference points, and gene a is somewhere between them.
4. Calculate the approximate position of gene a by considering the recombination frequencies as distances. If gene a is 14 map units from the vestigial wing locus and 26 map units from the brown eye locus, it suggests that gene a is closer to the vestigial wing locus than to the brown eye locus.
5. Place gene a on the chromosome map by estimating its position relative to the other loci. Since gene a is 14 map units from the vestigial wing locus and 26 map units from the brown eye locus, it is likely located between these two loci, closer to the vestigial wing locus.

Key Concepts

Genetic Recombination

Genetic recombination refers to the process by which two DNA molecules exchange genetic material, resulting in new combinations of alleles. In Drosophila, recombination occurs during meiosis, and the frequency of recombination between two loci can indicate their relative positions on a chromosome. Higher recombination frequencies suggest greater physical distances between genes.

Linkage Maps

Linkage maps are diagrams that show the relative positions of genes on a chromosome based on recombination frequencies. These maps are constructed by analyzing the recombination data from genetic crosses, allowing researchers to estimate the distance between genes. In this context, the recombination frequencies between gene a and other loci help determine its approximate location on the chromosome.

Chromosomal Mapping

Chromosomal mapping involves determining the physical location of genes on a chromosome. By using recombination frequencies, scientists can infer the order and distance between genes. In the given question, the recombination frequencies of gene a with the vestigial wing and brown eye loci provide clues to its position, suggesting it is closer to the vestigial wing locus than the brown eye locus.