Prcatical 7

Title: Linkage and Crossing Over

Introduction
The frequency of crossing over appears to be governed largely by the distance between genes,
or in this case, between the gene for spore coat colour and the centromere. The probabilityof crossover
occuring between two particular genes on the same chromosome (linked gene) increases as the distance
between those genes become larger. The frequency of crossover therefore appears to be directly
proportional to the distance between genes.
In this practical, we use the Sodaria fimicola to observe the results of crossing over during
meiosis. Sordariaceae is the family of fungus the ascomycete fungus Sordaria fimicola falls under, they
are mainly used for gene mapping and crossing over during the meiosis cycle (Ellis & Ellis, 1998).
This Sodaria fimicola after crossing over will have the recombinant patterns of 2:4:2 and 2:2:2:2. none
crossing over occurs for recombinant pattern of 4:4.

Objectives
The purpose of this study are:
• To observe and identify the frequency of crossover of the ascpspores in Sodaria fimicola
• To express distance between genes by measuring the crossover frequency
• To identify the crossing over patterns

Materials
1. Compound light microscope
2. Prepared slides of the ascospore of Sodaria fimicola

Method
1. Prepared slide of Sodaria fimicola was obtained .
2. The slide was viewed under 400x magnfication using the compound light microscope.
3. The structure and locations of clear and coloured ascospores were identified and the
arrangements of the spores were observed.
4. The results was recorded in Table 1.

Results
Table 1
Slide 1 Slide 2 Slide 3
Ascospores ratio 7 6 7
4:4
Ascospores ratio 10 6 9
2:2:2:2
Ascospores ratio 8 4 8
2:4:2
Total 25 16 24

Conclusion
References
Ellis, P, & Ellis, J.P. (1988). Microfungi on miscellaneous substrates: an identification handbook.
Portland,Oregon: Timber Press.