With X-linked traits, who is more likely to be a carrier, and who is more likely to express them?
A) Females are more likely to be carriers, whereas males are more likely to express them.
B) Females are just as likely to be carriers as to express them.
C) Males are more likely to be carriers, whereas females are more likely to express them.
D) Males are unlikely to be carriers or to express them.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

X-linked traits are carried on the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes, whereas males have one X and one Y chromosome. If a female inherits one X chromosome with a mutated gene and one X chromosome with a normal gene, she will be a carrier because the normal gene can mask the effects of the mutated gene. Males, on the other hand, only have one X chromosome and therefore cannot be carriers. If they inherit an X chromosome with a mutated gene, they will express the trait because there is no other X chromosome to mask the effects of the mutated gene. Therefore, females are more likely to be carriers, whereas males are more likely to express X-linked traits.

With X-Linked Traits, Who Is More Likely to Be a Carrier