Sex-Linked
gene located on the X or Y chromosome
Sex-linked traits are the traits that are determined by genes located on the sex chromosomes (X and Y chromosomes). In humans, the sex chromosomes determine the sex of an individual, with males having one X and one Y chromosome and females having two X chromosomes. As a result, sex-linked traits are usually determined by genes located on the X chromosome. Therefore, these traits are often inherited in a unique way that differs from typical inheritance patterns.
There are two types of sex-linked traits: X-linked and Y-linked. X-linked traits are more common because females have two copies of the X chromosome, whereas males have only one. Some examples of X-linked traits are color blindness, hemophilia (a disorder in which blood clotting is impaired), and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (a genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness).
Y-linked traits, on the other hand, are rare and are only inherited by males because the Y chromosome is only present in males. Examples of Y-linked traits include male-specific infertility and hairy ears.
In summary, sex-linked traits are inherited in a unique way because they are determined by genes located on the sex chromosomes. X-linked traits are more common, with females being carriers and males being affected, while Y-linked traits are rare and only affect males.
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