Alternate Names : Genetics - Sex-Linked Recessive, Inheritance - Sex-Linked Recessive, X-Linked Recessive

Definition

The term "sex-linked recessive" means that an abnormal gene on the X chromosome from each parent is required to cause the disease in females since the female has 2 X chromosomes. In males there is only one X chromosome, therefore, a single recessive gene on the X chromosome will cause the disease.

Although the Y chromosome is the other half of the XY gene pair in the male, the Y chromosome doesn't contain most of the genes of the X chromosome and therefore doesn't protect the male. Therefore, recessive genes on the X chromosome of the male will be expressed. This is seen in diseases such as hemophilia and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Related terms and topics:

• Gene
• Chromosome
• Inheritance
• Heredity and disease
• Genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis
• Sex-linked dominant
• Autosomal dominant
• Autosomal recessive