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Multiple Choice
Why do sex-linked traits follow different patterns of inheritance than autosomal traits?
A
Because they are only expressed in one sex and not the other.
B
Because they are inherited through mitochondrial DNA.
C
Because they are influenced by environmental factors more than genetic factors.
D
Because they are located on the sex chromosomes, which differ between males and females.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that sex-linked traits are associated with genes located on the sex chromosomes (X and Y), unlike autosomal traits which are located on non-sex chromosomes.
Recognize that in humans, females have two X chromosomes (XX) and males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY). This difference in chromosome composition leads to different inheritance patterns for sex-linked traits.
Identify that most sex-linked traits are X-linked, meaning the gene causing the trait is located on the X chromosome. This is because the X chromosome is larger and contains more genes than the Y chromosome.
Consider how X-linked traits are inherited: a male inherits his X chromosome from his mother and his Y chromosome from his father, while a female inherits one X chromosome from each parent.
Realize that because males have only one X chromosome, any recessive allele on the X chromosome will be expressed, whereas females would need two copies of the recessive allele (one on each X chromosome) for the trait to be expressed. This results in different patterns of inheritance and expression between males and females for sex-linked traits.