Linkage disequilibrium

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Linkage disequilibrium, often abbreviated to LD, is a term in population genetics referring to the association of genes, usually linked genes, in a population. It has become an important tool in medical genetics and other fields. In defining LD, it is important first to distinguish two different concepts: linkage disequilibrium and linkage (genetic linkage). Linkage disequilibrium refers to the association of genes in a population. Linkage, on the other hand, tells us whether genes are on the same chromosome in an individual. There is no necessary relationship between the two. Genes that are closely linked may or may not be associated in populations. Looking at parents and offspring, if genes at closely linked loci are present together in the parent, then they will usually be found together in the offspring. But looking at individuals in a population with no known common ancestry, it is much more difficult to see any relationships. To give a concrete, although imaginary, example in terms...

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