83.1k views
5 votes
What is sex linkage (X-linked traits)?

User Shanti
by
8.4k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

Sex linkage, or X-linked traits, refers to the inheritance of traits located on genes on the sex chromosomes. In humans, females have two X chromosomes while males have one X and one Y chromosome. X-linked traits are more likely to appear in males, as they only need to inherit one recessive mutant X allele to express the trait.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sex linkage, also known as X-linked traits, refers to the inheritance of traits that are located on genes on the sex chromosomes. In humans, females have two X chromosomes (XX) and males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome (XY). Genes located on the X chromosome but not on the Y chromosome are said to be X-linked. This means that these traits are more likely to appear in males, as they only need to inherit one recessive mutant X allele to express the trait, while females need to inherit recessive X-linked alleles from both parents to express the trait.

User Hector Barbossa
by
8.3k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.