The genes that are located close to each other on a chromosome are called linked genes. The tendency of the linked genes to be inherited together is called genetic linkage. The genes that are close to each other have a tendency to be more linked than those that are farther. The more the linkage lesser will be the recombination frequency and vice a versa. Hence linkage decreases the frequency of the hybrid. A recombinant frequency of 50 percent means that the genes are present on the same chromosome but are widely separated hence they may have undergone more than one crossovers in every meiosis. They may also be unlinked due to their presence on separate chromosomes. These genes show independent assortment.