Sex-Linked Trait. Biological & Biomedical Sciences Essay

Sex-Linked Trait: An Analysis
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Sex-Linked Trait
What is a sex-linked trait?
Sex-linked traits are genetically determined attributes that are found in the sex chromosomes. The sex of a person is determined by the sex chromosomes located in the reproductive cells. Genes are responsible for the traits of every individual, and these traits are usually inherited from one generation to another. Genes are DNA segments located in the chromosomes, which possess information that influence the synthesis of protein, including the inheritance of specific characteristics (Bailey, 2018). Sex-linked trait is influenced by alleles, which are the alternative forms in which genes exist. A child inherits one allele of the trait from each parent. Sexual reproduction is the process through which children inherit sex-linked traits from their parents. Non-sex chromosomes known as autosomes also contain traits that are also passed from parents to children.
What is the difference in inheritance between boys and girls for sex-linked traits?
The X and Y sex chromosomes usually influence the genetic linkage between males and females, and they make a difference in inheritance between boys and girls for sex-linked traits. The sex chromosomes contain the genes that determine the traits of males and females as well as other additional characteristics. Males usually possess a combination of X and Y sex chromosomes, while females possess two X’s (O’Neil, 2012). Males only inherit Y-linked traits since they are the ones who inherit the Y chromosomes. Both males and females can inherit X-linked traits since they both inherit the X and Y chromosomes. The figure below illustrates the inheritance patterns of sex chromosomes for boys and girls.
Fig 1 Inheritance patterns of sex chromosomes for boys and girls (O’Neil, 2012)
Gametes are sex cells that are produced b...