SEX CHROMOSOMES AND

SEX-LINKED GENES
A human male has one X chromosome
and one Y chromosome
A human female has two X
chromosomes
Whether a sperm cell has an X or Y
chromosome determines the sex of the
offspring

Sex-linked disorders affect

mostly males
Most sex-linked human
disorders are due to
recessive alleles
Examples: hemophilia,
red-green color blindness
These are mostly seen in males
A male receives a single X-linked allele from
his mother, and will have the disorder, while a
female has to receive the allele from both
parents to be affected

Sex Linked Trait: Colorblindness