Gene mapping | Biomolecules | MCAT | Khan Academy

About this video

• Video Title: Gene mapping | Biomolecules | MCAT | Khan Academy
• Channel: khanacademymedicine
• Speakers: Voiceover
• Duration: 00:13:20

Overview

This video explains the concept of gene mapping, which uses genetic recombination to determine the distances between genes on a chromosome. It illustrates how the frequency of recombination is related to the distance between genes, with further apart genes recombining more often. The video introduces centimorgans as the unit of measurement for genetic distance.

Key takeaways

• Genetic Recombination for Mapping: Genetic recombination can be used to determine the physical distances between genes on a chromosome, allowing for the creation of a chromosome map.
• Distance and Recombination Frequency: The further apart two genes are on a chromosome, the more likely they are to recombine during meiosis. Conversely, genes that are closer together are less likely to recombine.
• Centimorgan (Genetic Map Unit): A centimorgan (cM) is the unit used to measure the distance between genes on a chromosome. It represents the distance at which one product of meiosis in 100 is recombinant, meaning a 1% chance of recombination.
• Visualizing Recombination: The video uses examples to show how recombination events lead to the swapping of genetic material between homologous chromosomes, resulting in new combinations of alleles.