3D GRIDBUILDING - SCIENCE - BIOLOGY

SEX-LINKED CHARACTERISTICS

Sex-linked characteristics are those characteristics coded for by genes, which are located on either of the sex chromosomes.


This means that, depending on whether the gene is X-linked or Y-linked, the sex-linked characteristic will potentially affect males only, or both males and females.


Some well-known genetic diseases are X-linked characteristics, such as haemophilia and colour-blindness and a form of rickets. The disease state is usually caused by the recessive allele, but not always.


X-linked inherited diseases occur far more often in males as they only have one X chromosome.


Females can pass the recessive sex-linked diseases on to their sons whilst not suffering the disease themselves if they also have one dominant allele.


Anne Evans