Question

In human genetics, what is the difference between autosomal and sex-link traits?

How does the inheritance pattern for autosomal traits differ from the inheritance of sex-linked traits ?

Answer 1

Difference between autosomal and sex- linked traits:

Autosomal traits -

i- Autosomal inheritance is a pattern of inheritance in which the transmission of traits depends on the genes that present in the autosome ( chromosomes other than sex chromosome).

ii- Autosomal inheritance exhibits Mendelian inheritance patterns.

iii- Autosomal inheritance traits equally affect both sexes.

iv- Autosomal dominant and Autosomal recessive are the two types of autosomal inheritance.

v- In autosomal inheritance, both alleles of a particular gene are involved in controlling the autosomal trait. Example of autosomal inheritance traits are Huntington disease, Marfan syndrome, Sickle cell anemia etc.

Sex- linked traits -

i- Sex- linked inheritance is a pattern of inheritance in which the transmission of traits depends on the genes that present in the sex chromosomes.

ii- Sex- linked inheritance exhibits criss- cross inheritance.

iii- Sex- linked traits often affect male individuals.

iv- Alleles in the sex chromosomes are often involved in the determination of sex- linked trait.

v- Example of sex-linked inheritance traits are hemophilia, red green color blindness, Duchene muscular dystrophy, Fragile X syndrome etc.