What is sex linkage?

 

Sex linkage is a type of genetic disease, where the gene with the faulty allele is carried on the X chromosome. 

Women have 2X chromosomes whilst men only have 1. Consequently if the diseased allele is recessive, males always express it in their phenotype if it is present in their genotype (XhY) whereas women require 2 recessive alleles to show expression (homozygous XhXh). Therefore women can only be effected if both her mother and father contain the allele. Women can be carriers (XhXH). 

A key example is haemophillia. 

KD
Answered by Katie D. Biology tutor

10364 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

How is exocytosis different from active transport?


Please describe the structure of a plant cell, and illustrate two ways it can communicate with its neighbors.


How do I answer a long answer question in detail without writing too much and wasting exam time?


What are the different hypothesised methods of DNA replication.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning