The farther apart two genes are located on a chromosome the

the more likely they are independently inherited

Explanation:

The distance between two genes on the same chromosome determines how these genes are inherited.

Two genes that are close together on the same chromosome are said to be linked and the probability of them being inherited together is high.

On the other hand, two genes that are far apart on the same chromosome are less likely to be inherited together, that is, they assort independently.

a. decomposes use carbon from dead organisms as fuel for cellular respiration, returning carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.

well, that's easy; the answer's c, "it reduces contamination of the water and substrate of the estuary."