Practice question

Independent assortment arises either from location on different chromosomes where segregation of homologues randomly shuffles combinations during meiosis, or from placement very far apart on same chromosome where multiple crossovers per meiosis randomise allele associations to fifty percent recombination approximating unlinked behaviour. Closely linked loci show rare recombinants, intermediate distances produce proportional recombination frequencies, while extremely distant loci behave as unlinked despite physical connection on same DNA fibre due to map saturation and interference. Therefore unlinked pattern does not prove different chromosomes.