Males are more commonly affected by X-linked recessive genetic disorders than females because ____.
A) females have two X chromosomes; therefore, they do not inherit recessive alleles
B) males have only one X chromosome; therefore, they express all recessive X-linked traits
C) males have only one X chromosome; therefore, they have multiple alleles for each X-linked gene
D) Y chromosomes cause X-linked gene mutations
E) males are genetically weaker than females

Question

Males are more commonly affected by X-linked recessive genetic disorders than females because ____.​
A) ​females have two X chromosomes; therefore, they do not inherit recessive alleles
B) ​males have only one X chromosome; therefore, they express all recessive X-linked traits
C) ​males have only one X chromosome; therefore, they have multiple alleles for each X-linked gene
D) ​Y chromosomes cause X-linked gene mutations
E) ​males are genetically weaker than females

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Males have only one X chromosome, which means any recessive allele on that chromosome will be expressed, as there is no corresponding allele on the Y chromosome to potentially mask it. Females, with two X chromosomes, would need two copies of the recessive allele to express the trait.

Males Are More Commonly Affected by X-Linked Recessive Genetic Disorders