Science Common Sense

1437 - How is sex-linked inheritance transmitted?

Sex-linked inheritance happens when a certain trait or disease is related to the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes (XX), and males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY).

Here's how it works:

• Females can be carriers of the trait or disease if one of their X chromosomes has the specific gene. They can pass this gene to their sons or daughters. If their sons inherit the gene, they'll have the trait or disease because they only have one X chromosome.
• If daughters inherit the gene, they might be carriers like their mothers, but they might not have the trait or disease themselves.
• If a male has the gene, he'll have the trait or disease and can pass it to his daughters, making them carriers. However, he can't pass the gene to his sons because sons get their Y chromosome from their father.