explain sex-linked inheritance

Sex-linked inheritance is a type of genetic inheritance in which certain traits, such as color blindness or hemophilia, are carried on the sex chromosomes. In humans, these sex chromosomes are designated as X and Y, with males having one X and one Y chromosome, and females having two X chromosomes.

Since males inherit only one copy of the X chromosome, X-linked traits are more commonly expressed in males. This is because males do not have a second X chromosome that can have a dominant allele to mask the expression of a recessive allele on the X chromosome. Therefore, if a male inherits a recessive allele for an X-linked trait from his mother, he will exhibit that trait.

Females, on the other hand, have two X chromosomes, so they have a backup copy of the X-linked gene. This means that in females, a recessive X-linked trait will only be expressed if both copies of the gene have the recessive allele.

Overall, sex-linked inheritance can result in traits being inherited differently based on an individual's sex, with males more likely to exhibit X-linked traits and females potentially serving as carriers of these traits.