Other types of inheritance!

Two copies of each autosomal gene affect phenotype.

Mendel studied autosomal

gene traits, like hair texture.

Autosomal Genetic Disorders

A heterozygote for a recessive disorder is a carrier.
Disorders caused by dominant alleles are uncommon.
Example: cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia

(dominant)

Sex-linked Traits

Genes on sex chromosomes are called sex-linked genes.

Y chromosome genes in mammals are responsible for male
characteristics.
X chromosome genes in mammals affect many traits.

 Male mammals have an XY genotype.

All of a males sexlinked genes are
expressed.
Males have no second
copies of sex-linked
genes.

 Female mammals have an XX genotype.

Expression of sex-linked genes is similar to
autosomal genes in females.
X chromosome inactivation randomly turns
off one X chromosome.

Females can carry sex-linked genetic disorders.

Males (XY) express all of their sex linked genes.

Expression of the disorder depends on which parent
carries the allele and the sex of the child.

A pedigree is a chart for tracing genes in a family.

Phenotypes are used to infer genotypes on a pedigree.

Autosomal genes show different patterns on a pedigree
than sex-linked genes.

Hemophilia
Females carrying the disease will have the genotype X HXh
The X chromosome with the small h is the disease because it is a
recessive disorder
Carriers do NOT have the disease
Only genotypes with BOTH alleles (XhXh) will have the disease in
females
Because males only have one X chromosome, they will have the
disease when the allele is present
Other examples of sex-linked traits:

color blindness
male pattern baldness
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Fragile X syndrome

Comprehension Check
Hemophilia is a sex-linked, recessive trait. Which of the
following describes the probability of hemophilia in the
offspring of a man who does not have hemophilia and a
woman who is a heterozygous carrier?
A. There is a 100% chance their son will have hemophilia
B. There is a 0% chance their daughters will have
hemophilia
C. There is a 25% chance their sons will have hemophilia
D. There is a 50% chance their daughters will have
hemophilia