Dictionary > Y linkage

Y linkage

Definition
noun, plural: Y linkages
(genetics) A form of sex linkage involving particularly the Y chromosome
Supplement
Sex linkage is the phenotypic expression of a gene occurring in the sex chromosome. The manifestation of certain traits is due to the expression of the genes located in the sex chromosome.
In humans and other mammals, the sex chromosomes are the X chromosome and the Y chromosome. Females would have two X chromosomes and males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. As such, sex linkage may be classified as X linkage or Y linkage. X linkage is a sex linkage involving the X chromosome whereas Y linkage is a sex linkage involving the Y chromosome. Since there are more genes in the X chromosome than in the Y chromosomes there are more X-linked traits than Y-linked.
Y linkage is the state of a genetic factor (gene) being borne on the Y chromosome. Since the Y chromosome does not fully take part in chiasma formation and recombination, it is not amenable to analysis by conventional linkage methods. Thus, little is known about its content. There is a gene for the h-Y antigen, and indirect arguments suggest that there is a principle that determines the formation of the testis and masculinization of the fetus but its localization, though narrowing the limits, remains elusive.
Compare:

  • X linkage

See also:

  • Y-linked inheritance
  • Y-linked gene


  • You will also like...

    Pikas are an indicator species for climate change
    Indicator Species and Endangered Species

    Certain species are capable of expressing characteristics indicative of the state of the ecosystem they occupy. They are..

    DNA - schematic
    Genetic Mutations

    This tutorial looks at the mutation at the gene level and the harm it may bring. Learn about single nucleotide polymorph..

    Endemic Flora of New Zealand
    New Zealand’s Unique Flora

    If New Zealand has lots of unique animals, it's also got a whole lot of unique plants. Find out more about some of them,..

    Homeostasis by water regulation
    Homeostasis of Organism Water Regulation

    Osmoregulation is the regulation of water concentrations in the bloodstream, effectively controlling the amount of water..

    Ecological Research Measuring & Analysis
    Ecological Research: Measuring & Analysis

    This lesson is about the methods used for ecological research, such as quadrat and transect sampling, canopy fogging, an..

    dinosaurs
    The Dinosaurs

    Dinosaurs represented a major turn in the evolutionary development of organisms on Earth. The first dinosaurs were presu..