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sex-linked

(Science: genetics) A genetic disorder where the genetic defect is linked to one of the chromosomes that determines sex (x or y). This is usually due to a gene on the unpaired portion of the x chromosome. Recessive X linked alleles are fully expressed in the heterogametic sex because they can have only one copy of the gene. Thus X linked mutant disorders are more common in human males than in females.

An example is haemophilia, which is autosomal recessive and linked to the x chromosome, so only males (xY) actually manifest the disease.