Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Sex-linked inheritance refers to the pattern of inheriting traits that are located on the sex chromosomes (X or Y). These traits are typically more commonly observed in one sex than the other.
Related terms
Carrier: A carrier is an individual who has a recessive gene for a particular trait but does not express it. For example, females can be carriers of X-linked disorders since they have two copies of the X chromosome.
Hemophilia is an example of a sex-linked disorder where blood clotting factors are missing or reduced. This disorder is more commonly observed in males due to its location on the X chromosome.
Color blindness: Color blindness is another example of a sex-linked disorder where individuals have difficulty distinguishing certain colors. This condition is more commonly found in males since it is linked to genes on the X chromosome.