Linkage refers to two genes located on the same chromosome. Genes that are close together on a chromosome are tightly linked. Crossing over is the process where homologous chromosomes exchange equal segments during genetic recombination. There are two theories that describe the mechanism of crossing over - the contact-first theory proposes the chromosomes first touch and break at the contact point before recombining, while the breakage-first theory states the chromosomes first break independently before recombining their segments. A three-point test cross can identify eight phenotypic classes through their frequencies or altered gene arrangements.