Sex-linked gene is a gene on either the X or the Y chromosome.

A sex-linked gene is a gene located on either the X or Y chromosome. Since males have one X and one Y chromosome, while females have two X chromosomes, sex-linked genes are typically expressed differently in males and females.

One example of a sex-linked gene is the gene responsible for hemophilia, a blood clotting disorder. Hemophilia is caused by a mutation in the gene that codes for a clotting factor located on the X chromosome. Since females have two X chromosomes, they can inherit one normal copy of the gene and one mutated copy, and therefore may not experience symptoms of hemophilia. However, males have only one X chromosome, so if they inherit the mutated gene from their mother, they will experience hemophilia.

Another example of a sex-linked gene is the gene responsible for red-green color blindness. This gene is also located on the X chromosome, so males are much more likely to be color blind than females. Females can be carriers of the gene and may have some color vision deficiency, but typically not as severe as in males.

A third example is the gene for androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), which is also located on the X chromosome. AIS is a condition where individuals with male chromosomes are unable to respond to male hormones (androgens), resulting in incomplete male sexual development.

Related Articles

Fragile X at psychology-glossary.com■■■■
Fragile X refers to an inherited disorder caused by a defective gene on the X-chromosome which causes . . . Read More
Down syndrome at psychology-glossary.com■■■
Down syndrome refers to the type of mental retardation caused by a chromosomal aberration (chromosome . . . Read More
Acidosis at psychology-glossary.com■■■
Acidosis is an abnormal increase in blood hydrogen ion concentration, that is, arterial pH below 7.35); . . . Read More
Occupational illness at psychology-glossary.com■■■
Occupational illness is defined as any abnormal condition or disorder, other than one resulting from . . . Read More
Epigenetics at psychology-glossary.com■■■
Epigenetics refers to the study of potentially inheritable changes in gene expression that are caused . . . Read More
Reciprocal gene–environment model at psychology-glossary.com■■■
Reciprocal gene–environment model refers to the Hypothesis that people with a genetic predisposition . . . Read More
Air Toxics at environment-database.eu■■■
Air Toxics are any Air Pollutant for which a national Ambient Air quality standard (NAAQS) does not exist . . . Read More
Tremor at psychology-glossary.com■■■
Tremor refers to involuntary shaking, usually of a limb, tremors may be resting or occur with intentional . . . Read More
Sex chromosomes at psychology-glossary.com■■
Sex chromosomes refer to chromosome that determines the sex of a person. Humans have two (2) sex chromosomes, . . . Read More
Y chromosome at psychology-glossary.com■■
Y chromosome refers to the shorter of the two (2) sex chromosomes ; normal males have one Y chromosome, . . . Read More