X-linked gene
- noun
- /ɛks lɪŋkt dʒin/
- Specialized
:
gen ligado al cromosoma X
- Understanding X-linked genes is essential for predicting how certain inherited conditions are passed through families.
Examples
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The study found that X-linked genes play a significant role in the inheritance of color blindness.
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While it might be anticipated that there would be little advantage to a tumor acquiring inactive chromosomes, it has been shown that approximately 15% of human X-linked genes continue to be expressed from the inactive X chromosome 127.
Blog text (18) -
Researchers discovered links between specific X-linked genes and rare genetic disorders that affect males more than females.
How Sex-Linked
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Surface Forms
Morphology
This is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'X-linked' means 'on the X chromosome' and 'gene' means a DNA segment influencing traits, so a learner who knows both parts can derive 'a gene located on the X chromosome'. The construction is a standard, literal scientific noun phrase (and parallels naming conventions in other languages), making the meaning immediately accessible.
Etymology
X-linked gene gives a simple picture: the word linked means 'tied' to the X chromosome, like a small tag attached to the letter X. So it means a gene that sits on the 'X chromosome', and its effect often shows more in males because they have only one X and cannot 'hide' a bad copy.
