How do sex-linked disorders differ from autosomal disorders?

Sex-linked disorders are inherited by a gene located on the 23rd pair of chromosomes i.e sex chromosomes. Females are XX and males are XY. The Y chromosome is in reality a shorter version of the X chromosome and because of that does not carry all the genes that the X chromosome has. If the disorder is caused by a recessive allele and the male inherits the allele, he will exhibit the condition since the Y does not have the allele and he does not have the chance to get the normal dominant allele. The female on the other hand having 2 X chromosomes will need two recessive alleles to have the disorder. So sex-linked disorders affect mostly males.

Autosomal disorders affect equally males and females since each autosomal pair will have two chromosomes. Individuals will need both recessive copies of the allele to exhibit the condition whether they are males or females.

Autosomal Disorder

Sex Linked Disorders

They differ in mnay ways like-- Sex linked disorders are present only on sex chromosomes i.e X and Y only while autusomal disoreders are on the autosomes( chromosomes other han X and Y). X and Y have specific pattern of inheritance while autuosmal abnormality will have to show in offspring!!

The first disorder is associated with the Sex cells and is thus hereditable. The second is an abberation in the body cells and are not hereditable