How is recombinant percentage calculated?
Recombinant percentage is a method used to measure the frequency of recombination between two genes during meiosis. It helps in understanding how closely two genes are linked on the same chromosome. Recombination takes place due to crossing over during prophase I of meiosis. When genes are located far from each other on the same chromosome, crossing over happens more frequently, which leads to a higher recombinant percentage. If the genes are very close, recombination is rare and the recombinant percentage is low.
Recombinant offspring are those individuals that show a new combination of traits not seen in either parent. These new combinations occur when genetic material is exchanged between homologous chromosomes.
The formula for calculating recombinant percentage is:
In this formula, recombinant offspring are only those individuals that show non-parental combinations. Total offspring include both recombinant and parental types.
For example, if a test cross gives the following results:
- Parental type A-B: 230
- Parental type a-b: 220
- Recombinant type A-b: 25
- Recombinant type a-B: 25
Then total offspring = 230 + 220 + 25 + 25 = 500
Recombinant offspring = 25 + 25 = 50
Now,
Recombinant Percentage = (50/500) × 100 = 10%
This means the two genes are 10 map units apart.
If the recombinant percentage is less than 50%, the genes are linked. If it is 50%, the genes are either very far apart on the same chromosome or on different chromosomes and are considered unlinked.
Since 1% recombination equals 1 map unit (centiMorgan), this value is used to construct genetic maps that show the position of genes on chromosomes. This technique is widely used in classical genetics, especially in model organisms like Drosophila, for studying gene linkage and inheritance patterns.
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