Question:medium

The frequency of recombination between gene pairs on the same chromosome as a measure of the distance between genes was explained by:

Updated On: Apr 24, 2026
  • T.H. Morgan
  • Gregor J. Mendel
  • Alfred Sturtevant
  • Sutton Boveri
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The question pertains to the identification of the scientist who explained the frequency of recombination as a measure of the distance between genes on the same chromosome.

Let's evaluate the options given:

  • T.H. Morgan: Thomas Hunt Morgan is known for his work on the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, and his discovery of the role of chromosomes in heredity. He demonstrated that genes are carried on chromosomes, which laid the foundation for the field of genetics, but did not specifically define the frequency of recombination as a measure between genes.
  • Gregor J. Mendel: Gregor Mendel, the father of genetics, formulated the laws of inheritance, which explain how traits are passed from parents to offspring. However, Mendel's work did not involve chromosome mapping or recombination frequency.
  • Alfred Sturtevant: Alfred Sturtevant, a student of T.H. Morgan, is credited with the first genetic map by using the frequency of crossing-over (recombination) to determine the distances between genes on a chromosome. He developed the concept of a linkage map, which is fundamental to genetic linkage analysis.
  • Sutton Boveri: The Sutton-Boveri Hypothesis, proposed independently by Walter Sutton and Theodor Boveri, states that chromosomes carry genes and are the basis for Mendelian inheritance. It does not directly relate to recombination frequency as a measure of genetic distance.

From the information above, the correct answer is clearly Alfred Sturtevant.

Sturtevant formulated the concept of using recombination frequency as a measure for mapping genes on chromosomes, leading to the development of genetic mapping. The recombination frequency, expressed as a percentage, indicates how far genes are located from one another on a chromosome — the greater the frequency, the farther apart the genes are likely to be.

Therefore, Alfred Sturtevant is the correct answer as he pioneered this genetic mapping technique, which remains a cornerstone of genetics today.

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