Sex Chromosomes

The chromosomes inherited from both parents that contain the genetic material that determines the sex of an individual. X-linked diseases are caused by mutations of genes on the X chromosome.

The sex chromosomes are the X and Y chromosomes inherited from a biological mother and father. The inherited combination of X and Y chromosomes determine the sex of the baby. Normally, a female/woman inherits two X chromosomes (one from each parent) and a male/man inherits one X chromosome from his mother and one Y chromosome from his father. There are some genes on the X chromosome that, when mutated, will cause particular types of X-linked retinal degenerative diseases.