Which of the following best describes the term "linkage" in genetics?

The term "linkage" in genetics refers to genes that are inherited together because they are located close to each other on the same chromosome. This proximity means that when chromosomes are passed from parent to offspring during meiosis, the likelihood of these genes being separated by recombination is lower than for genes that are further apart.

When two genes are linked, they tend to be transmitted as a unit, which is why they are often inherited together. This is a foundational concept in genetics, aiding in the understanding of inheritance patterns and the construction of genetic maps. The extent of linkage between genes can be measured by the frequency of recombination events during meiosis, which is inversely related to their physical distance on the chromosome.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the concept of linkage, as "genes that assort independently" and "genes located on different chromosomes" describe situations where linkage is not present. Additionally, "genes that always show recombination" inaccurately suggests that linked genes undergo recombination frequently, which is contrary to the definition of linkage.