Gene linkage describes the physical relationship of genes. Specifically, linkage means that the genes are on the same chromosome and therefore do not assort independently into gametes (in humans, ovum and spermatozoa) during meiosis.

Gene linkage is the phenomenon where genes located on the same chromosome in an eukaryote tend to be transmitted together. Because of this co-transmittance, the traits associated with the genes sometimes do not segregate between two daughter cells, following crosses between the parental cells, as predicted by Mendelian genetics

The genes of most organisms can exist in different forms, called alleles, in a population. If the organism has identical alleles of a gene on each of its homologous chromosomes, it is called homozygous. If the alleles are different it is called heterozygous. During the cell division process, a separation of nuclear material into gametes occurs via meiosis. If an organism is heterozygous...