What term is used to describe traits linked to specific sex chromosomes?

The term "sex-linked traits" refers to characteristics that are connected to genes located on the sex chromosomes, which are the chromosomes that determine an organism's sex. In many species, including humans, these chromosomes are referred to as X and Y chromosomes. Traits that are sex-linked commonly exhibit different patterns of inheritance in males and females because males typically have one X and one Y chromosome, while females have two X chromosomes.

For example, color blindness and hemophilia are well-known sex-linked traits that are commonly associated with the X chromosome. Because males have only one copy of the X chromosome, a single recessive allele for these traits will express the trait. In contrast, females, having two X chromosomes, would need two copies of the allele to express the trait.

Understanding sex-linked traits is important in genetics, particularly in studying inheritance patterns and predicting the likelihood of trait expression in offspring. Other options, while referring to different genetic concepts, do not specifically pertain to traits that are determined by sex chromosomes.