Sex-limited genes

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Sex-limited genes are genes which are present in both sexes of sexually reproducing species but turned on in only one sex. In other words, sex-limited genes cause the two sexes to show different traits or phenotypes. An example of sex-limited genes are genes which instructs male elephant seal to grow big and fight, at the same time instructing female seals to grow small and avoid fights. These genes are responsible for sexual dimorphism.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Dawkins, Richard (2004). "The Seal's Tale", The Ancestor's Tale, A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Life. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0-618-00583-8. 
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