Question

X-linked genes differ from Y-linked genes in which of the following ways?

a) Sons and daughters can inherit alleles of X-linked genes from fathers proportionally but only sons inherit alleles of Y-linked genes from their fathers.
b) Only X-linked genes are technically sex-linked because Y-linked genes affect characteristics unrelated to sex.
c) Although the X and Y chromosomes carry genes that determine sexual characteristics, there are not corresponding regions of homology for genes located on each chromosome.
d) Though most X-linked genes determine sex, Y-linked genes control for characters unrelated to sex.
e) Sons and daughters have equal probabilities in inheriting a recessive allele of an X-linked gene from their mother, but only sons can inherit rare Y-linked genetic disorders from their father.

Answer 1

e) Sons and daughters have equal probabilities in inheriting a recessive allele of an X-linked gene from their mother, but only sons can inherit rare Y-linked genetic disorders from their father.

Step-by-step explanation:

Females have two copies of the X chromosome and males have only one X chromosome (one Y chromosome). Because of that X-linked recessive diseases are more common among males than females (males need only one copy to have disease, females with one copy are carriers).

For example, if a mother is a carrier (has only one allele that is associated with disease), she can transmit either the X chromosome with the mutation or an unaffected X chromosome to her children. If the father is unaffected, all of the daughters will be unaffected—since they will inherit at least one normal X chromosome from their father. But, son can be affected, because he inherits Y chromosome from father and can inherit affected X chromosome from mother.