Which of the following will not result in variations among siblings ?

Options

A. Independent assortment of genes
B. Crossing over
C. Linkage
D. Mutation

Explanation

To determine which of the following processes will not result in variations among siblings, we need to analyze the processes involved in genetic inheritance. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the solution:

### Step 1: Understand the Concept of Siblings
Siblings are offspring that share the same parents. This means they inherit genetic material from the same set of parents, which can lead to variations among them.

**Hint:** Remember that siblings inherit genes from both parents, which can lead to genetic diversity.

### Step 2: Identify Processes that Cause Variations
Several genetic processes can lead to variations among siblings:
- **Independent Assortment:** During gamete formation, alleles for different traits segregate independently, leading to different combinations of genes in the offspring.
- **Crossing Over:** This occurs during meiosis, where homologous chromosomes exchange segments, resulting in new allele combinations.
- **Random Fertilization:** The random combination of gametes from two parents can lead to different genetic outcomes in siblings.

**Hint:** Consider how genetic recombination and assortment during meiosis contribute to genetic diversity.

### Step 3: Analyze Linkage
Linkage refers to the tendency of genes located close to each other on the same chromosome to be inherited together. This means that linked genes do not assort independently and tend to be passed on as a unit, which can limit the variation among siblings.

**Hint:** Think about how genes that are linked do not separate during meiosis, leading to fewer combinations.

### Step 4: Conclusion
Since linkage results in the inheritance of parental traits without introducing new variations, it is the process that does not lead to variations among siblings. Thus, the correct answer to the question is linkage.

**Final Answer:** Linkage (Option 3)