Cosegregation

Cosegregation (pronounced: co-seg-re-ga-tion) is a term used in Genetics to describe the tendency of two or more Genetic Markers to be inherited together due to their location on the same Chromosome.

Etymology

The term 'Cosegregation' is derived from the Latin prefix 'co-' meaning 'together', and the English word 'segregation', which in genetics refers to the separation of Alleles during Meiosis.

Definition

Cosegregation is a phenomenon observed in the field of Molecular Genetics where two or more genetic markers, usually Alleles or DNA Sequences, are inherited together more often than would be expected by chance. This occurs because these markers are located close together on the same chromosome, and thus are less likely to be separated during the process of Genetic Recombination.

Related Terms

Linkage Disequilibrium: A measure of the non-random association of alleles at two or more loci.
Genetic Linkage: The tendency of DNA sequences that are close together on a chromosome to be inherited together during the meiosis phase of sexual reproduction.
Genetic Marker: A gene or DNA sequence with a known location on a chromosome that can be used to identify individuals or species.
Allele: One of two or more versions of a gene that are found at the same place on a chromosome.
DNA Sequence: The precise order of nucleotides within a DNA molecule.
Chromosome: A DNA molecule with part or all of the genetic material of an organism.
Meiosis: A type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in the parent cell by half and produces four gamete cells.
Genetic Recombination: The production of offspring with combinations of traits that differ from those found in either parent.