Question
Are X-Linked disorders more common in men or women? Why?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
X-linked disorders are more common in men than in women. This is due to the fact that men have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome (XY), while women have two X chromosomes (XX).
In a male, a single recessive allele on the X chromosome will manifest as the disorder because there is no corresponding allele on the Y chromosome to mask its effects. In contrast, a female has two X chromosomes, so if she has one affected X chromosome, the presence of a second normal X chromosome can often compensate for the defective gene. As a result, many X-linked disorders are expressed more frequently in males.
Examples of X-linked disorders include hemophilia and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. While females can still be carriers of X-linked conditions, they are less likely to be affected unless they have mutations on both of their X chromosomes. Therefore, the difference in chromosome composition between men and women makes X-linked disorders more prevalent in males.
In a male, a single recessive allele on the X chromosome will manifest as the disorder because there is no corresponding allele on the Y chromosome to mask its effects. In contrast, a female has two X chromosomes, so if she has one affected X chromosome, the presence of a second normal X chromosome can often compensate for the defective gene. As a result, many X-linked disorders are expressed more frequently in males.
Examples of X-linked disorders include hemophilia and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. While females can still be carriers of X-linked conditions, they are less likely to be affected unless they have mutations on both of their X chromosomes. Therefore, the difference in chromosome composition between men and women makes X-linked disorders more prevalent in males.