Here's why:

* Chromosomes carry genes: Each chromosome contains a linear sequence of genes.

* Alleles are variations of genes: Alleles are alternative forms of a gene. For example, a gene for eye color might have an allele for blue eyes and an allele for brown eyes.

* Linked genes are close together: Linked genes are located close to each other on the same chromosome. This means they are physically connected and tend to be inherited together during meiosis.

Why linked genes are important:

* They don't always follow Mendel's law of independent assortment: Because linked genes are physically connected, they don't always sort independently into gametes. This can affect how traits are inherited.

* Recombination can break linkage: While linked genes are typically inherited together, crossing over (recombination) during meiosis can sometimes separate them. The closer the genes are, the less likely they are to be separated.

Let me know if you'd like to learn more about linkage and recombination!