Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance
Sex-Linked Genes
Problem 1c
Textbook Question
The discussion centers on extensions and modifications of Mendelian principles and ratios. In the process, we encountered many opportunities to consider how this information was acquired. On the basis of these discussions, what answers would you propose to the following fundamental questions?
How do we know that specific genes are located on the sex-determining chromosomes rather than on autosomes?

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Understand the concept of sex-determining chromosomes: These are the chromosomes (e.g., X and Y in humans) that determine the biological sex of an organism. Genes located on these chromosomes are referred to as sex-linked genes, while genes on non-sex chromosomes (autosomes) are autosomal.
Examine inheritance patterns: Sex-linked genes exhibit unique inheritance patterns that differ from autosomal genes. For example, X-linked traits often show crisscross inheritance, where males inherit the trait from their mothers and females can inherit it from either parent.
Analyze reciprocal crosses: Perform reciprocal crosses (switching the sexes of the parents) and observe the offspring's phenotypes. If the inheritance pattern changes between the two crosses, it suggests the gene is sex-linked rather than autosomal.
Use cytogenetic evidence: Correlate the presence or absence of specific chromosomes with the expression of traits. For example, the discovery of the white-eye mutation in Drosophila melanogaster was linked to the X chromosome by observing that males (XY) were more likely to express the trait than females (XX).
Apply molecular techniques: Modern methods, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or DNA sequencing, can directly identify the physical location of a gene on a chromosome, confirming whether it resides on a sex chromosome or an autosome.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Sex Chromosomes vs. Autosomes
Sex chromosomes are specialized chromosomes that determine the sex of an organism, typically designated as X and Y in mammals. Autosomes, on the other hand, are non-sex chromosomes that are present in pairs and do not influence sex determination. Understanding the distinction between these two types of chromosomes is crucial for analyzing genetic inheritance patterns related to sex-linked traits.
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Linkage Mapping
Linkage mapping is a genetic technique used to determine the relative positions of genes on a chromosome based on how frequently they are inherited together. By studying the inheritance patterns of traits, researchers can infer whether specific genes are located on sex chromosomes or autosomes. This method relies on the observation of recombination frequencies during meiosis.
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Sex-Linked Inheritance
Sex-linked inheritance refers to the patterns of inheritance for genes located on sex chromosomes, particularly the X chromosome. Traits that are sex-linked often exhibit different inheritance patterns in males and females due to the presence of only one X chromosome in males. Understanding these patterns helps clarify how certain genetic disorders are passed down through generations, particularly those that are more prevalent in one sex.
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Related Practice
Multiple Choice
If five males inherit an X-linked recessive allele from their carrier mothers, what is the expected phenotype of these males?
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