Why a man is unable to pass his sex linked gene X linked to his son

Subject: Zoology

Difficulty Level: Easy
A man cannot pass on his X-linked genes to his son
X chromosome
Y chromosome

Updated by: Arabinda Naik

Answer:

A man cannot pass on his X-linked genes to his son

Because of the way sex-linked inheritance works in humans. In humans, males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome (XY), while females have two X chromosomes (XX). The key reason for this inability to pass on X-linked genes to sons is based on the pattern of inheritance associated with the X and Y chromosomes.

In the case of X-linked genes, they are located on the X chromosome. When a man (XY) contributes genetic material to his offspring, he passes on his Y chromosome to his sons and his X chromosome to his daughters. However, since his son receives his Y chromosome, the X-linked genes from the father are not passed on to the son.

The man has one X chromosome and one Y chromosome (XY). When he produces sperm, he contributes either an X or a Y chromosome to his offspring. If he contributes an X chromosome, the offspring will be female (XX). If he contributes a Y chromosome, the offspring will be male (XY). So, the X-linked genes that a man has on his X chromosome are transmitted to his daughters (who receive one X chromosome from him) but not to his sons (who inherit his Y chromosome).This is why X-linked traits or conditions are typically passed from mothers to their sons, as the mother contributes one of her X chromosomes to her sons.

Questions you should look

What is sex linked inheritance Explain with example of colour blindness and haemophilia
Explain Haemophilia
Give the account of the chromosomal basis of sex determination in animals      
Explain the various theories of Sex determination in animals
Describe Life Cycle of Plasmodium Vivax