Sex-linked inheritance

Sex-linked inheritance is the transmission of traits encoded by genes on the sex chromosomes, chiefly the X chromosome and, less often, the Y chromosome. Its patterns often differ between sexes because they carry different sex-chromosome combinations.

X-linked recessive inheritance: A pattern in which a recessive allele on the X chromosome causes a trait when no functional counterpart masks it. One X-linked recessive allele can affect an XY individual, while a second X allele may mask it in an XX individual.
Red–green color blindness: A group of color-vision deficiencies, commonly caused by variants in genes on the X chromosome. Its frequent X-linked recessive inheritance illustrates how prevalence can differ between sexes.
Sex chromosome: A chromosome involved in determining sex or carrying genes with sex-specific inheritance patterns. Sex-linked inheritance is defined by a gene’s location on one of these chromosomes.
Autosomal inheritance: Inheritance of traits encoded by genes on chromosomes other than the sex chromosomes. Autosomal genes generally do not show the same sex-specific transmission patterns.
X-linked dominant inheritance: A pattern in which one dominant allele on the X chromosome can produce a trait. A single altered X-linked allele can cause the trait, with transmission depending on which parent carries it.
Hemophilia A: An inherited bleeding disorder caused by deficient or dysfunctional clotting factor VIII. Many cases result from X-linked variants in the F8 gene.
X chromosome: A sex chromosome found in people of all sexes and present in two copies in most XX individuals. Most recognized sex-linked traits arise from genes on the X chromosome.
Mitochondrial inheritance: Inheritance of traits caused by genetic variants in mitochondrial DNA, usually transmitted maternally. Its maternal transmission contrasts with the parent-specific routes of X- and Y-linked genes.
Y-linked inheritance: Inheritance of traits caused by genes on the Y chromosome. Y-linked alleles pass from fathers to sons who inherit their Y chromosome.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A progressive muscle-wasting disorder caused by loss of functional dystrophin. Variants in the X-linked DMD gene produce a well-studied recessive inheritance pattern.

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