Question

Frequency of recombination between gene pairs on same chromosome as a measure of the distance between genes to map their position on chromosome, was used for the first time by

• A. Sutton and Boveri
• B. Alfred Sturtevant
• C. Henking
• D. Thomas Hunt Morgan

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The question asks about the scientist who first used the frequency of recombination between gene pairs on the same chromosome as a measure to map their position on the chromosome.

Concept Explanation:

The concept is related to genetic linkage and mapping. Gene mapping refers to the process of determining the locus for a particular biological trait. In genetics, genes that are close to each other on the same chromosome tend to be inherited together and the frequency of recombination between them is an indicator of their distance from each other.

Alfred Sturtevant, a student of Thomas Hunt Morgan, was the first to apply this concept in 1913. He created the first genetic map of a chromosome, using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Sturtevant was able to calculate the distances between genes based on recombination frequencies, establishing the fundamental principle that the frequency of crossing over between linked genes is directly related to the distance between them.

Justification of Correct Answer:

1. Alfred Sturtevant used recombination frequencies to construct genetic maps, which denotes the distance between genes on the same chromosome. This was groundbreaking as it provided a method to measure the distance between linked genes.
2. Sutton and Boveri: Known for the chromosomal theory of inheritance, which proposed that chromosomes are the carriers of genetic material. They did not develop the recombination mapping technique.
3. Henking: Discovered the X chromosome; however, his work was not related to genetic mapping using recombination frequencies.
4. Thomas Hunt Morgan: He was a prominent figure in genetics and demonstrated that genes are located on chromosomes, but the specific contribution regarding recombination frequency mapping was done by his student, Alfred Sturtevant.

Thus, the correct answer is Alfred Sturtevant.