Which of the following is a common sex-linked disease?

Prepare for the Semmelweis Medicine Biology Entrance Exam. Test your knowledge with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Hemophilia is a common sex-linked disease primarily caused by mutations in genes located on the X chromosome. It is a hereditary bleeding disorder where blood does not clot properly due to insufficient clotting factors. Since males have only one X chromosome (XY), a single mutated copy of the hemophilia gene inherited from their mother can lead to the disease. In contrast, females (with two X chromosomes) may be carriers without exhibiting symptoms unless both copies of the gene are mutated. This characteristic of being inherited through the X chromosome distinguishes hemophilia as a classic example of a sex-linked disorder.

In understanding sex-linked diseases, it's important to recognize the influence of genetic inheritance rules, particularly regarding how traits on the X chromosome manifest differently in males and females. Albinism and cystic fibrosis are not linked to the sex chromosomes; rather, they follow autosomal inheritance patterns. Muscular dystrophy, while it is a genetic condition associated with muscle degeneration, is primarily linked to specific types of muscular dystrophy, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is also due to mutations on the X chromosome. However, hemophilia directly exemplifies the male-specific inheritance pattern associated with sex-linked diseases, making it the most suitable answer in this context.

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