Sex-Linked+Genetic+Disorders

Link your page to this one if yours is a sex-linked genetic disorder.

Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. 22 of those pairs are called the autosomes. The one remaining pair are referred to as sex chromosomes. They are given this name because this pair of chromosomes is responsible for determining the sex or gender of the individual. If the individual inherits two X chromosomes from their parents, they will be a female. If they inherit one X chromosome and one Y chromosome, they will be a male.

Sex-linked traits are those which are found within the genes of the sex chromosomes, either X or Y. There are more X-linked disorders as the X chromosome is significantly larger than the Y chromosome. There are more genes located on the X chromosome, therefore the likelihood of mutation or space for errors is greater.

Sex-linked traits are inherited by males and females differently as their sex chromosomes are different. Males only have one X chromosome, therefore have one chance of receiving a trait on the X chromosome. Also, females don't have a Y chromosome, so they can not possibly inherit Y-linked traits.