Y linkage

In mammals, Y-linkage refers to when a phenotypic trait is determined by an allele (or gene) on the Y chromosome. It is also known as holandric inheritance.

The Y-chromosome is small and does not contain many genes, therefore few traits are Y-linked, and Y-linked diseases are rare. Because the only humans which have a Y chromosome are males, the genes are simply passed from father to son, with no interchromosomal genetic recombination.

Chromosome Y deletions are a frequent genetic cause of male infertility. Another example in humans of a y-linked trait was thought to be hairy ears (it may also be sex-limited).[1] However, this has been discredited[2].

See also

References

  1. ^ Online Mendelian Inheritance of Man, HAIRY EARS, Y-LINKED, although see HAIRY EARS.
  2. ^ http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VS0-4JVTBNK-1&_user=10&_coverDate=06%2F30%2F2006&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=gateway&_origin=gateway&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1759287863&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=ce69fbedf159884f9ec161c3477b26b7&searchtype=a

External links