Explain in detail why males tend to inherit the human disorder color blindness and females tend to be carriers?

Answer 1

Hi Alana,

The reason that more males tend to inherit color blindness is because the gene responsible for causing this disorder is X-linked, meaning it is located on the X chromosome. This disorder is also recessive, meaning that having one good copy of the gene is enough to prevent you from getting the disorder.

Females are born with 2 X chromosomes, while males are born with one X and one Y chromosome. This means if a female inherits one mutant copy of the X chromosome, she has a second intact copy to prevent her from getting the disorder. But since she still has one mutant copy, she can pass it on to her children, making her a carrier.

However, if a male inherits one mutant copy of the X chromosome, they don't have a second copy, so they get the disorder.

Hope this helps!