Males are more likely to be affected by sex-linked traits. This is because sex-linked traits are determined by genes located on the sex chromosomes, specifically the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes (XX), while males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY). Since males only have one X chromosome, any recessive allele on that chromosome will be expressed, as they lack a corresponding allele on the Y chromosome to suppress it. In females, the presence of a second X chromosome allows for a potential dominant allele to mask the effects of a recessive allele. Therefore, males are more likely to exhibit sex-linked traits if they carry a recessive allele on their single X chromosome.
