How could we know whether a trait is autosomal or sex linked by studying a pedigree?
Answer 1:
they are distinguished through notation – a sex-linked pedigree will have mostly affected males, the female carriers are typically designated as a half shaded circle.
Explanation:
Autosomal traits can also be identified when a female offspring shows a recessive trait and the father is not affected & if an affected mother has a non-affected son.
Answer 2:
The discussion below considers only recessive traits.
Explanation:
Distinction 1
In a pedigree displaying autosomal trait, affected individuals are of both sex: that is both male and female individuals could be affected in 1:1 ratio.
In a pedigree displaying sex linked trait, an overwhelming number of males will be affected.
Distinction 2
In case of autosomal trait, both male and female individuals could be carriers.
In case of sex linked trait, carriers are always female individuals, never male.
Distinction 3
An autosomal trait generally appears to affect individuals in every generation.
A sex linked trait shows ‘criss cross inheritance’.